MULBERRY. 



253 



to every individual part of the machine ; and one regu- 

 lator governed the whole work. 



On the 3d April, 1732, we find his Majesty gave his 

 assent to the bill for granting fourteen thousand pounds to 

 Sir Thomas Lombe, as a recompense for his introducing 

 this machine for working silk. 



Having thus obtained artists and machinery, let us no 

 longer neglect the cultivation of the tree that is to em- 

 ploy them. 



It is observed in Evelyn's Sylva, that this tree possesses 

 the peculiar property of breeding no vermin, neither does 

 it harbour any caterpillar except the silkworm. The fruit 

 when ripe stains the hands ; but, when unripe, is a good 

 cleanser. 



It is one of the latest trees to blossom, and one of the 

 earliest to ripen its fruit ; which, when ripe, is of a cooling 

 aperient nature, but quite of an opposite quality when 

 unripe, being a strong astringent. 



The root of the mulberry-tree has an acrid bitter taste : 

 it is powerful in its effects ; and has been used with great 

 advantage against worms, particularly the tape-worm. 

 The juice of this fruit, mixed with cider, is esteemed the 

 best of all the English vinous liquors. 



Miller mentions eight varieties of this agreeable fruit ; 

 which appears to be again duly appreciated at the dessert, 

 as we find it is cultivated in a hot-house belonging to 

 T. A. Knight, Esq., who, we believe, is the first person 

 that has attempted to force this excellent berry. In the 

 garden of Thos. Wm. Coke, Esq. M. P., at Holkham-hall, 

 Norfolk, there are two mulberry-trees trained to a trellis, 

 upon a south wall. These trees are about sixteen feet 

 high, and the lateral extent of the branches of one of 

 them is upwards of ninety-four feet, and the other exceeds 

 ninety-seven feet. They have been planted about thirty 

 years ; and it is found that the fruit is much larger than 





