272 



SILK. 



adopt the more systematic way of feeding, which experience 

 has pointed out as most favourable ; although, with us, the 

 despatch of cutting down the seedlings for food, instead of 

 the slow process of gathering leaves, will always remain an 

 object of serious consideration. 



The white mulberry thrives in all soils and situations, 

 and will grow very rank and full of leaves upon low, moist 

 ground ; but the food it affords in such situations is very 

 inferior, and apt to disorder the worms. A warm loam, 

 even if gravelly, will give leaves of the best quality ; and 

 a sheltered, warm situation will produce leaves many days 

 sooner than one which is exposed to cold, and is desirable 

 on that account. 



The mulberry-tree may be raised from suckers ; and some- 

 times slips, stuck in a moist soil, will take root; if the low 

 branches of a tree can be bent so as to be fastened, and 

 covered in the ground, they will take root. The trees may 

 be planted near buildings, for shade, or in a yard; the 

 fowls are very fond of the fruit when it falls. A variety 

 of situations will increase the means of early and late feed- 

 ing, which is very desirable. 



We shall conclude these remarks on the cultivation of 

 the mulberry, by observing, that the most esteemed seed 

 of that tree in Europe is that raised in Piedmont. The 

 seed from Spain is also excellent. The seed of the best 

 quality is large, bright, and heavy ; when bruised, it will 

 appear oily, and when thrown on ignited coals, it will 

 crackle. 



The next object to consider is, the seed from which the 

 worms are to be hatched ; and here it will be proper to ob- 

 serve, that one ounce of seed will produce about forty 

 thousand worms, who will consume about one thousand 

 pounds' weight of leaves, and produce from eighty to one 

 hundred pounds of cocoons ; and twelve pounds of cocoons 

 will give about one pound of silk. It is of the greatest 

 importance to procure the best seed, because that which is 

 inferior will produce sickly worms, who will be much more 

 exposed to the various disorders to which these insects are 

 subject ; a greater proportion will die, and those which sur- 

 vive will not make good cocoons. The best seed is of a 

 dark grey colour, almost as dark as slate, looks bright, and 

 if thrown into wane will sink. The seed which is light, 

 of a white or yellow colour, and looks dull, is barren and 

 good for nothing. The seed should be kept in a cool, 

 dry situation, until the mulberry-trees have their leaves 



