PART 1. 



CULTURE OF THE MULBERRY TREE. 



THE only appropriate food for the silk worm is the 

 leaf of the mulberry tree. It should be the first busi- 

 ness therefore of the silk grower to provide himself with 

 the source of a constant supply of mulberry leaves. 

 The greater his supply of this article, the greater will be 

 his crop of silk, as the eggs of the insect are procured 

 to any amount with ease and cheapness. Having the 

 eggs of the insect and a sufficient quantity of food at 

 hand, ordinary care on the part of the proprietor will in- 

 sure a good crop. It is now abundantly proved that 

 there is no great obstacle in the soil or climate of these 

 United States to raising silk to a vast amount. As there 

 is a difference in the quality of the mulberry leaves for 

 raising silk, it should be the object of the cultivator to 

 propagate the best kind. The white mulberry * has 

 been found superior to the purple or native red,t and the 

 plants are easily produced from the seed. 



* See the leaf, Fig. 1, Plate 2, reduced to one fourth its natural 

 size. 



t See the leaf, Fig. 2, Plate 2, reduced to one fifth its natural 

 size. 



