124 [Assembly 



their woik before the time came for peeling the bark, and the 

 nursery requires to be headed down to the ground every season 

 to promote and multiply the stalks of the next year. Some of 

 my hills, of this year's growth, would now yield a pound of bark 

 silk. These were imported from Canton in 1834, through an 

 American missionary from this country, and are probably the first 

 genuine seeds ever received from the Celestial Empire, I have 

 kept this nursery in existence to this time. I have also a cocoon- 

 ery of 100 by 20 feet, with convenient fixtures and ample accom- 

 modation, including ventilating cradles, plenty of foliage, and eggs 

 for gratuitous use, but no offers to occupy. I had procured 

 nearly 100 ounces of eggs for distribution to encourage the pur- 

 suit, but no application for these gratuities. The trees have been 

 mostly destroyed, consequently eggs are not wanted. I had 

 hoped that some enterprising person might be found to carry out 

 my plan, both of feeding and making bark silk, using up the odds 

 and ends of the mulberry patch annually. I do not yet despair 

 of the silk business becoming a great source of national wealth 

 and private emolument, as it now is to China, France and Italy. 

 But when ? Who can tell 1 



The Rev. Eli Smith, missionary to Syria, married in this town 

 a lady, once engaged in cultivating the mulberry tree. They 

 took out roots and cuttings which were planted, and are now 

 growing luxuriantly, as per advice from Beyroot. They were set 

 out for ornament and shade ; they have grown wonderfully, de- 

 velope a large and beautiful leaf, superior to any before seeu at 

 Beyroot or Constantinople, and attract the admiration of all who 

 see them. I should be glad to hear whether the Canton or Mul- 

 ticaulis will be used there for making silk, but may not live to 

 be informed. 



Canton seed has been planted within the city of Mexico during 

 the late war, carried there by a young man who cultivated the 

 mulberry here. 



In China or the East Indies, rags are not used to make paper, 

 but some other vegetable fibre ; the same also in the Sandwich 

 Islands. Paper has been made in this town of mulberry foliage, 

 and used for printing on. Mr. Wakeman, to whom I sent a 



