EXTRACTS FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. 159 



In Michigan, Mississippi, and Wisconsin, also, by the accounts 

 given, the attention is more directed to this crop than heretofore. 

 The whole crop is estimated at 315,965 lbs. of cocoons. 

 The resolutions passed by the convention at New-York on the 

 subject, express the strongest confidence in the prospects of the 

 silk culture. Arrangements were made for collecting a fuller ac- 

 count of the state of the business the next year, by issuing a cir- 

 cular embracing a great variety of items ; the results of which 

 effort will, doubtless, be more cheering than any heretofore attempt- 

 ed. More than one hundred and fifty witnesses have given their 

 testimony, which is embodied in the pamphlet to which reference 

 has already been made. The questions which were put and an- 

 swered for the convention, related to a great variety of particular 

 points connected with the culture and manufacture of silk. Some 

 of the results it may be well to notice at this time. 



1. Varieties of the 'mulberry tree. The Canton, Brosa, Al- 

 pine, Italian, multicaulis, and common white mulberry, are all 

 mentioned, and preferences are variously expressed. The Canton 

 seems to be quite a favorite in the state of Massachusetts, and the 

 northern climate generally. The silk worms are stated by one 

 person to leave the other varieties for the Canton. The soil and 

 climate are said to be "peculiarly adapted, and more congenial" 

 to its growth " tl^^n even China, its native soil," as remarked by 

 Dr. Parker, missionary to China. " The tree grows more in this 

 continent than in China. It is said there to attain only about four 

 feet in the season, while in our country it grows six to eight feet 

 in a season, after being headed down in the spring, and growing 

 in a dry soil enriched by the decomposition of the foliage on its 

 surface." " I do not know," says one who has great experience, 

 " of any compost so enriching as the foliage of the Canton mul- 

 berry." In the middle and western states the Italian and multi- 

 caulis seem to be preferred, while some judges seem to think very 

 highly of the white mulberry. One, whose opinion is entitled to 

 much weight, says: "I cultivate them as I do corn, and replant 

 the multicaulis every three years." The mode of planting is of 

 considerable importance. In a trial made by one of the most 

 ardent friends of the cause, after laying his trees " the whole 

 length in the furrow, manuring them with a cheap compost made 

 principally of peat wood properly prepared," they were destroyed 

 by the frosts of winter ; but on being " set deep, one root in a 

 place, in dry, sloping land, (or ridged, if flat,) rich enough to 

 make good extended roots," the plants went safely through the 

 winter. Thus managed, he says, " they are essentially safe from 

 the perils of winter anywhere between Canada and the gulf of 

 Mexico." It is not the degree of cold that docs the injury in this 

 and similar cases, but " freezing and thawing." " Trees, too. 



