KAW-SILK. 



G7 



as well as that of China, soon becomes stunted, (G.) 

 and though not absolutely diseased, yet unfit to oi^Toxburgh 

 yield leaves of the best quality. I would, there- ^^^rTde °^ 

 fore, recommend that much attention may be paid 23N0V.1812. 

 to the mulberry plantations, let the species or sort 

 be what it may, for I well know that few trees 

 degenerate so fast as the various species of this 

 useful family. 



Accompanying this I send you my ideas, on 

 what I think the best mode of rearing the plant 

 in general use for feeding silk-worms in Bengal, 

 chiefly taken from the natives themselves, and 

 only requires to be faithfully followed, to ensure a 

 constant supply of wholesome food for the worms. 



Another consideration of much real importance 

 must be, attention to freshness of the leaves when 

 given to the insects : for though our domestic 

 quadrupeds draw the best of nourishment from 

 dry food, yet I believe the caterpillar of the silk- 

 moth will thrive best when fed with the freshest 

 leaves, gathered at a proper age, so as to suit the 

 digestive organs of the little animals through their 

 various stages. All those matters are perfectly 

 known to the people employed in the work ; but 

 I know, from long experience, that to avoid trouble, 

 the great body of the natives will forfeit many of 

 their comforts. 



I doubt if standard trees would yield so many, 

 or such good leaves, as in the cut state in which 

 the natives keep their plantation. I rather think 



F 2 not 



