RAW-SILK. 



141 



feeding silk-worms; the other, called simply by (K.) 

 the natives the large mulberry, bears a purple fruit ^Retidl^^^t" 

 and is cultivated in gardens. atHumpaui. 



Although the large mulberry yields more leaves, 

 the dessy is preferred, as agreeing best with the 

 silk-worms. It appears that those fed with the 

 garden mulberry yield an inferior cocoon. 



I send specimens of the leaves for inspection. 

 The dessy, I believe, gives a white berry, but is 

 not allowed to produce fruit. 



The method of cultivation differs from that in 

 use about Bauleah and Malda, the leaves only being 

 here gathered from standard. 



Slips are planted in October, and leaves are 

 gathered from the plants in the following June. 

 Between three and four years from the first gather- 

 ing of the leaves the plants are cut down close to 

 the ground. This is done in February, and leaves 

 are again plucked from the new sprouts in the 

 following June. 



In good soil the trees last upwards of fifteen 

 years, and in bad not less than six or seven ; but 

 whatever may be the time a tree lasts, it is a rule 

 to cut it down close to the ground every three 

 years, so as to keep the standard of a height 

 which enables a man to pluck the leaves without 

 climbing. 



The earth is dug up and the trees manured in 

 October, and at this time they are also watered. 

 Fresh earth is put around them in February, 



and 



