HOCKINGS' GARDEN MANUAL. 



181 



cards, besides about 80 lbs. of perforated cocoons, which, 

 together, would yield an amount sufficiently encourag- 

 ing, considering the short period during which the 

 worms require attention. When, however, it is re- 

 membered that, with the increasing age of the trees, 

 they will be able to support a very much larger number 

 of worms, there appears every reason to believe that, 

 with a ready market for the grain, the pursuit would 

 be very remunerative under skilful management. 



On most large farms space could be found for a few 

 thousands of mulberry trees, without interfering with 

 the ordinary crops, and the silk harvest might be made 

 a very acceptable addition to the income. 



The probable returns have here been purposely based 

 upon the lowest estimate, and still give fair promise of 

 being remunerative. Local experience may yet prove 

 the profits to be much greater ; and, if we are spared 

 to issue another edition of this work, we shall be glad 

 to record the fact. 



AILANTHUS GLANDULOSA- 

 (Varnish Tree of Japan). 



This plant has been introduced to public notice in 

 consequence of its affording acceptable food to the 

 bombyx cynlhia, now known as the ailanthus silkworm. 

 This plant is one of the easiest shrubs to grow — there 

 is no soil, however bad, in which it will not thrive. 

 The seed germinates almost as quickly as wheat ; and 

 as it grows freely from cuttings of roots, and also sends 

 up abundance of suckers, it is easily propagated. The 

 plants should be about three feet apart each way, and 

 cut down every year, so that the young shoots may 

 spring up and afford tender leaves for the worms ; and, 

 by planting them so close that the shoots join each 

 other, the worms are enabled to go from one plant to 

 another. 



