SILK GROWER'S MANUAL. 209 



which is practiced in Broussa, the great silk district of 

 Turkey, where the best silk is produced. Thus in 

 Turkey, the silkworms are reared in cities, as well as 

 in country villages, and the food is purchased in the 

 market ; these cities and villages being surrounded by 

 the plantations of the mulberry. 



I have been thus particular in describing the mode 

 of rearing the silk in Turkey, but not by any means 

 that I would propose it as an example for us to imitate 

 in California, but as a striking proof of the great 

 strength of constitution which the silkworms possess ; 

 and the only mystery appears to be, to comprehend 

 with what power the silkworms are endued, which can 

 enable them, thus situated, not only to live and survive, 

 but also to produce valuable crops. It shows that in 

 Turkey, their trees are constantly growing under the 

 influence of a genial sun. 



I have also tried here in San Jose*, to raise the silk- 

 worms in open air. In 1861, knowing that the birds 

 would eat them all, I covered with mosquito bars the 

 two trees on which I put my worms. I put them 

 in the morning at about 8 o'clock, and the next morn- 

 ing at about the same time, I visited them and found 

 them almost all gone ; and the few that were left were 

 surrounded, each one, by a half dozen of ants, that 

 were carrying them away. Finding that we have so 

 many enemies outside, I concluded that it was of no 

 use to think of raising them in the open air, in Cali 

 fornia. 



