March.] THE NURSERY. 281 



mankind, Dr. Benjamin Franklin. That so useful a pursuit 

 should be suffered to die away in a country as well adapted for it 

 as any in the universe, is as extraordinary as it is unfortunate and 

 injurious to the real interest of the nation." 



Trees which are designed to feed silk worms should never be 

 suffered to grow tall, but rather kept in a sort of hedge; and instead 

 of pulling oft" the leaves singly, the young twigs should be cut oft" 

 with them on, which is much sooner done, and not so injurious to 

 the trees. This is the more interesting as the mulberry makes a 

 tolerably good hedge, and can be used with advantage for both 

 purposes. 



The raising and manufacture of silk, as well as every other new 

 establishment, can only be brought to perfection, and consequently 

 into repute, by the industry of some wealthy individuals, or by 

 established companies whose united efforts will surmount the diffi- 

 culties which always present themselves in new undertakings; for 

 we every day see those that deal in small quantities in any way of 

 life, or in any commodities whatever, generally unsuccessful, whilst 

 at the same time, others possessed of wealth, or in established socie- 

 ties, dealing largely in the same articles, acquire vast property and 

 riches; merely from being able to afford constant and regular 

 employment for the people engaged in the business, and having 

 due attention paid to every department thereof. 



The vast wealth of Lyons, and of various other places, gained 

 from the labours of this little insect, plainly show that where no 

 accommodations or materials are wanted to employ a multitude of 

 hands in a regular society or combination of undertakers, the silken 

 manufacture must answer; and that people may grow rich thereby, 

 as well in America, as in any other country, if similarly pursued, is 

 too self evident to bear contradiction. 



With a view and expectation that this business may be attempted 

 successfully, I shall contribute my mite by giving the best informa- 

 tion that I have been able to acquire on the subject; not in the least 

 doubting but that better may be easily obtained, for the introduction 

 of this important work. 



The first object is to raise a sufficient quantity of mulberry-trees, 

 of both the white and black kinds, which are very easily propagated, 

 as directed in page 264. The cultivating of both kinds I think the 

 more necessary, from the different opinions entertained of their 

 utility for this purpose, and the universal admission of either kind 

 answering the end. 



The next is to procure the eggs, about the beginning of May, 

 or when the mulberry begins to expand its leaves, to lay them 

 on paper or flannels placed on shelves, in warm exposures, where 

 they may have the heat of the sun to hatch them. In Sicily, boarded 

 or frame houses are commonly erected for this purpose in the fields, 

 among the mulberry trees, with a number of shelves rising one 

 above another, and a large table in the middle of the room, on 

 which, when they are hatched, to lay over them the young twigs 

 bearing the leaves intended for their food, which must be removed 

 and renewed as often as necessary; keeping them always clean 

 2 M 



