5274 THE NURSERY. 



as well in America, as in any other country, if similarly pursued, is? 

 too self evident, to bear contradiction. 



With a view and expectation, that this business may be attempted 

 successfully, I shall contribute my mite, by giving the best informa- 

 tion that I have been able to acquire oh the subject ; not in the least 

 doubting but that better may be easily obtained, for the introduc- 

 tion of this important work. 



The first object, is to raise a sufficient quantity of mulberry- 

 trees, of both the white and black kinds, which are very easily pro- 

 pagated, as directed in page 257. The cultivating of both kinds I 

 think the more necessary, from the different opinions entertained 

 of their utility for this purpose, and the universal admission of 

 either kind answering the end. 



The next is to procure the eggs, which about the beginning of 

 May, or when the mulberry begins to expand its leaves, to lay them 

 on paper, or flannels placed on shelves, in warm exposures, where 

 they may have the heat of the sun to hatch them. In Sicily, board- 

 ed or frame-houses are commonly erected for this purpose in the 

 fields, among the mulberry trees, with a number of shelves- rising 

 one above another, and a large table in the middle of the room, on 

 which, when they are hatched, to lay over them the young twigs 

 bearing the leaves intended for their food, which must be removed 

 and renewed as often as necessary ; keeping them always clean 

 from dead leaves, and their own dirt. A man and boy will attend 

 all the worms that come from six ounces of eggs, and those, one 

 year with another, will spin twenty pounds weight of silk. 



The method of clearing off their dirt is this ; spread a net over the 

 worms, on which lay fresh food, they will all crawl through the mashes 

 to feed on the leaves, when they may be be taken up without the 

 least injury, and their shelves cleaned effectually : after which lay 

 fresh twigs with leaves on the shelves; over these lay the nets, and they 

 will return to their former places, when the nets may be laid by till 

 wanted again for a similar purpose. In some countries, the worms 

 are suffered to feed and work on the trees, but their being subject, 

 under such circumstances, to the ravages of birds, unfavourable 

 changes of weather, &c. they are generally kept in; houses or sheds 

 erected for that purpose. 



In Turkey, the worms are fed in long barns, made, both walls 

 and roofs, of reed or cane \ where they are fed, and afterwards spia. 

 their clues upon these reeds. In Italy and Spain, they are kept to 

 feed in the same rooms, wherein the people live and do their other 

 houshold affairs, feeding them on shelves and tables without more 

 curiosity. 



It is observed, that the worms are commonly sick three or four 

 times during- their feeding, generally about ten days after they are 

 hatched, and at weekly periods afterwards. Their best treatment* 

 during these times is, to give them but little food while sick. The 

 whole time of their feeding, is about seven weeks ; and as they get 

 strength and grow bigger, it need hardly be said that you must give 

 them more, and oftener. The leaves should not be given to the 

 worms, whilst wet with dew or rain. 



