RAW- SILK. 



139 



Extract Letter from R. Richardson, Esq., Resident 

 at Commer colly, 20th June 1833. 



(K.) 



The kind of mulberry used in these aurungs for Report from 

 rearing silk-worms is called dessy toot, and b}^ dawk- commercoiiy. 

 banghy I have sent you some specimens of the 

 leaves, for transmission to Dr. Wallich, Superin- 

 tendent of the Honourable Company's Botanical 

 Gardens. 



The season for planting mulberry is the month 

 of Kartick (October), although I have planted it 

 with success all the year round. The cuttings are 

 about five inches long, and are planted in rows 

 about seven inches apart. In my opinion, it would 

 be better a little further apart, and in a diamond 

 shape, so that viewing the mulberry in every 

 direction, it always appears in a line, leaving pas- 

 sages in every way for the free admission of air. 



The leaves of the first cuttings of new planted 

 mulberries are reckoned poisonous, and if given 

 to the worms, kill them. After this the plant will 

 be fit for cutting about every two months. After 

 each cutting the field should be weeded and dressed 

 with a little manure, and in the month of Kartick 

 (October) every year the mulberry should be cut 

 and the field undergo eight or ten ploughings and 

 be well manured. Cultivated in this way it will 

 flourish for seven or eight years. After this period 

 the ground should have a fallow, or be appropriated 



to 



