54 SILK GROWER'S GUIDE. 



which is now so extensively adopted with the grape vine, 

 in vineyard culture, in modern France. 



SECTION XIX. 

 GATHERING THE LEAVES FOR FOOD. 



THE leaves should be gathered from the ground, or if 

 on trees, by step-ladders, as climbing the trees inflicts 

 injurious bruises, galling the limbs. The leaves are 

 gathered in bags kept open with a hoop or strap to pass 

 over the shoulder. Gather them while dry, after the 

 dew has disappeared in the morning, and before sunset, 

 Strip the leaves upwards, not downwards, as this injures 

 the buds. When you begin a tree, strip it complete, 

 except only a few at the tip end of every twig, which 

 must be left as essential to the health of the tree ; leave 

 not a leaf take all, as it injures the tree but more equally 

 and alike in every part. If leaves are left on parts of 

 the tree, by attracting the sap, they rob the other parts 

 which are left destitute, and the tree grows in dispropor- 

 tion. Wet leaves are injurious they cause disease ; 

 therefore never gather them when wet, either with rain 

 or dew, except in cases of absolute necessity; then 

 spread them on a floor under cover, and turn them fre- 

 quently till dry; or they may be placed during wet wea- 

 ther on a staging formed of tiers of laths for drying, and 

 spread lightly. A stock should always be kept on hand 

 sufficient to last two or three days. When gathered, 

 they should be preserved from wilting in a cool cellar, 

 or by lying spread under cover on a brick pavement, or 

 clean gravelled floor, being often turned and aired, and 

 shifted alternately to new and dry parts of the floor; 

 they may be thus preserved green for four or five days. 



The leaves should never be allowed to heat, as even 

 the slightest degree of fermentation produces alteration 



