PRACTICAL FARMER 



Withstand the cold as those grown from the seed 

 in the cold climate, but that this liardiness to en- 

 dure the cold increases, as the plant continues to 

 be thus cultivated for several seasons. It is well 

 known that this effect, of becoming acclimated 

 ■progresses much more slowly, if it even progress- 

 es at all, where the [)iant is propagated by grafting, 

 or cutting or any kind of transfer from the wood 

 of the parent tree, than when projjagated from 

 seed by successive generations. 



The first knowledge we have of the Chinese 

 mulberry, it was brCluglit to this country fi-om 

 France, where it was obtained from the Phillip- 

 pine islands, which is a tropical and consequently 

 liot climate. They have been thus far, both in 

 France and in this country, propagated ciiiefly by 

 transfer of the wood in grafts, layers, &c. and of 

 course incline to retain the natural tenderness of 

 the parent stock. Their consequent liability to be 

 winter killed, was also increased by another cir- 

 cumstance, — when they were first received here, 

 they were thought of great value, and accordingly 

 set in the richest ground and in warm and protect- 

 ed situations. This was one of the surest meth- 

 ods to kill them. Owing to their extremely rapid 

 growth and the continuation of that growth late in 

 the fall, the cold of winter seized them while the 

 sprouts were tender and before the wood was 

 formed, and they were therefore literally killed 

 with kindness. This discouraged many people, and 

 the idea that it would not stand the winter became 

 somewliat general. Some, however, who were 

 more fortunate, or who had more perseverance, 

 found out in tinje, by experience, that the trees set 

 in a dry, sandy, or gravelly soil, contained less 

 moisture, .'uid the wood hardened, and vegetation 

 ceased sooner in the fall, and that these preserva- 

 tive effects were increased bj' standing in a bleak 

 exposure. It is remarkable that many jiersons 

 engaged in cultivating this tree, have independent- 

 ly of, and unknown to each other, come to the 

 conclusion, viz : that rich soil and a warm and 

 protected situation, by accelerating the growth, 

 increasing tho proportion of soft, succulent sub- 

 stances, and prolonging its green soft state to later 

 in tlie fall, were causes of its death, by the early 

 frosts of winter; and that a contrary course tend- 

 ed to its safety. 



Imported Silk. — The Northampton Courier 

 states that the Hon. G. Grenell, Jr., of Greenfield, 

 ill answer to an inquiry directed to him from Dr 

 Stebbins of Northampton, says that the silk im- 

 ported into this country during the year 1835, 

 amounted to Sixteen Millions, Four Hundred and 

 Ninetyseven Thousand Dollars. 



Cure for Scratches. — AVhite lead, prepared in oil 

 for painting, well put on with a brush. On appli- 

 cation generally produces a cure. — Pough. Jour. 



Silk Company. — If farmers have any doubts 

 remaining with respect to the demand for cocoons, 

 or raw silk, they will be removed on seeing mar- 

 kets opening for them in all directions. The 

 manufacturing companies already formed, will 

 require more of the i-aw material that will be 

 growed in this coimtry for the next quarter of a 

 century. Many of these companies are incorpo- 

 rated for the purpose of growing, as well as man- 

 ufacturing silk, on account of the necessity which 

 theyvvill be under for years to come, of produc 

 ing their own stock. This union of both branch- 

 es of the business is not a matter of choice but of 

 necessity. The manufacture of silk is a distinct 



branch of business from its culture, and it WOUld 



be desirable to keep it so, were it practicable ; but 

 until farmers engage in the business with spirit 

 and activity, manufacturers must rely on their 

 own resources to furnish their own stock. 



PROGRESS OF THE SILK CLTURE. 



The Massachusetts Silk Company organized last week 

 by the choice of the following officers. 



Directors. — Joseph R. Newell, Thos. Whittnarsh, 

 Wm. H. Montague, J. Vincent Browne, Sam'l. H. Bab- 

 cock, Josiah Daniel), John Ashton, George Browne, 

 Francis O. Watts. . _ 



Joseph R. Newell was elected President, Francis U. 

 Watts. Clerk, and J. Vincent Browne, Treasurer. 



This Company have purchased the heautiful farm in 

 Fiamingham, belonging to Col. Nalh. Fisk, and iir now 

 laying it out as a Mulberry planiation, preparatory to 

 going into the Manufacture of silk the ensuing year. 



Atlantic Silk Company. 



Extract rf a letter from Col. Gardener of Nnntucket. 

 We shall commence manulacMiring silk goods in two or 

 three weeks. Wo have <me invoice of India, .-nd one of 

 Niiplessilk on hand, and we are daily expecting an in- 

 voice from Smyrna, and have aUt) sent orders f''"" ^ 

 large amount, which will arrive in the country m July 

 or the first of August next. We have had a piece of 

 handkei chiefs sent us from the Spitalsfields weavers, 

 and we trust before long to have the pleasure of exhibit- 

 ing it in Boston with a piece of Nantucket, made from 

 precisely the same stock. In the mean time individu- 

 als have commenced setting trees on their own account. 

 I shall put on my farm this s^pring about eighteen thou- 

 sand trees, including about twenty-five hundred of the 

 MorusMulticaulis. My rien<l,S. B. Tuck, willset about 

 as many more. We have no douht at all of the success 

 of the Morus Multicaulis. but we have found it impcsst- 

 ble to procure them at any pme. As many of our white 

 mulberries are small, o.-r'pr.isent intention is to engraft 

 them another year. 



Silk. — We were yesterday shown about eight 

 or ten doz. skeins of beautiful sewing sik, made 

 by Mrs. Sampson Hamilton of this borough. We 

 understand she has made more thau enough to 

 make a silk dress. An example woitliy to lio im- 

 itated. We will publish from time to time such 

 information on the subject as may be in posses- 

 sion. — Meadville Courier. 



