172 ON REARING SILK-WORMS IN SCOTLAND, June 8, 



fon to doubt of the . fuccefs of the undertaking in this 

 country, whenever it fhall be fairly attempted. 



Without at prefent entering into the queftion of the 

 pradlicability of rearing filk-worms on any other food 

 than the mulberry leaf, my aim fhall be to (hew, 

 that this approved food can be at pleafure raifed in 

 abundance in any part of this ifland for the purpofe re- 

 quired. It is the leaf oi the mulberry alone that this 

 infeft requires ; therefore we have no occafion to con- 

 cern ourfelves about \\\t. fruit. But that the mulberry 

 plant lives in this climate, and refifts its fevered cold, 

 cannot be doubted, as there is fcarcely a nurfery, or an old 

 garden in any part of the country, where the proprie- 

 tor has been curious in trees, that fome of them are not 

 to be found ; and I do not remember ever to have feen 

 one plant of it that had been in the fm.alleft degree in- 

 jured by cold. It is indeed a flow growing tree here 

 as in every country ; nor does it put forth its leaf ear- 

 ly in the feafon. This, however, in the prefent cafe, 

 is a matter of no fort of importance ; for as the filk- 

 worm lives only a few weeks, and as it is very eafy 

 in this climate to keep the eggs from being hatched 

 till the very day we incline, it is always in our power 

 to prevent the worms from coming forward, till we 

 ihall have plenty of food provided for them ; fo that it 

 is a matter of indifference whether thefe leaves attain 

 their full perfe£lion in May, in June, or in July. When- 

 ever the food is ready for them, and no fooner, we can 

 bring the worms into life ; an advantage we do not 

 enjoy in refpecl: to any other live flock whatever. 



In regard to the prefervation of the worm itfelf, as 

 refpefting climate, it has been found by dear bought 

 experience, in the countries where they have long been 

 reared, that nothing is fo much to be dreaded, or fo 

 difliciilt to guard againft, as fuffocating heat, which 

 renders the worms fo we^k and languid, as to be un- 

 able to fpin their cocoons properly ; or violent thun- 

 <ler, which, in one hour, is frequently known to kill 



