64 



RAW-SILK. 



(G.) better mode of cultivating the Bengal mulberry^ 

 B^rd^j/TrTde V^^^^ thsiu that at present employed, are objects 

 Residents Unquestionably much to be desired, with a view 

 31 March 1813. to procuro a greater degree of firmness and con- 

 sistence to the thread of the cocoon, on which the 

 excellency of the silk depends. But we are of 

 opinion, that the only mode of effecting these 

 grand and distinguishing points, is in the way of 

 inducement with the present cultivators of the 

 mulberry-plant and present rearers of the silk*- 

 worm. In these respects, great exertion, assiduity, 

 and perseverance on the part of the respective 

 Residents, would, we are disposed to believe, be 

 capable of effecting no small degree of improve- 

 ment^ notwithstanding there would evidently, from 

 the well-known habits and prejudices of the natives, 

 be no inconsiderable obstacles to be overcome. 

 It might be desirable that an attempt should be 

 made to introduce the China mulberry into general 

 use, and to this end, that a small plantation should 

 at first be made by two or three of the Residents 

 contiguous to their factories, that from the cuttings 

 to be supplied from the Botanic Garden, with a 

 view to ascertain by experiment the property of 

 this plant to nourish the silk- worm, compared with 

 the plant of Bengal. The Residents might also 

 be able to induce some of the cultivators to allow 

 a little more space to the plants, and thus make 

 trial of the improvement suggested by Dr. Rox- 

 burgh, whereby he conceives that the leaves, by 



having 



