152 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. [March, 



of China is much superior to that in the south. I have not 

 been able fully to satisfy myself of this fact ; nor, if true, can 

 I ascertain whether it be attributable to the influence of the 

 climate, or the superiority of the reeling ; but an intelligent 

 manufacturer has stated to me, that, in his opinion, the Bengal 

 silk would be found equal to any other but for the imperfection 

 of its reeling. It is stated, likewise, on the most disinterested 

 testimony, that the silk formerly raised in Georgia, whose cli- 

 mate, we know, is of a high temperature, was pronounced in 

 England of an excellent quality. The perfection of the Italian 

 silk is generally ascribed to the admirable manner in which it 

 is reeled. It is at the same time, however, only just to state 

 that the silk already produced among us, has fully demonstrat- 

 ed our capacity of producing as good an article as has as yet 

 been seen. 



In our calculations as to the price which silk is likely to 

 maintain, we must take into consideration many new facts. 

 The introduction of improved varieties of mulberry into Eu- 

 rope, and the great improvements which have been made in the 

 engrafting of choice varieties upon the white mulberry, are not 

 without their influence upon the silk culture, both in France 

 and Italy. No longer ago than this very day, on which I pen 

 this paragraph, I have received through a friend, direct infor- 

 mation from one of the most distinguished agriculturists and 

 horticulturists in France, of the introduction of a new species 

 of mulberry from the northern parts of China, of a perfectly hardy 

 character, furnishing an abundance of foliage, and promising, 

 in its various good qualities, the most eminent advantages to the 

 silk culturists of France. If the tree fulfils the promises, which 

 are held out, it will soon be ours. It is said not to be propa- 

 gated with as much facility as the Perottet mulberry, yet, it may 

 be propagated without difficulty by engrafting. In the present 

 condition of society, all monopoly of advantages or improve- 

 ments, excepting those, which, from the nature of the case, cannot 

 be transferred, are at an end. Continents are brought into near 

 vicinity to each other. The papers come to us from Europe, 

 scarcely dry from the press ; and the leaves of plants from the 



