274 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. XVI. 
be a matter of some importance to introduce it to the 
plantations of Italy, as Chinese silk is much heavier in 
the thread than the Italian, and is used in the manu- 
facture of those fabrics requiring lustre and firmness. 
The trees, or rather bushes, are planted in rows, the 
banks of the canals being a favourite situation ; and 
they are not allowed to grow more than from four to six 
feet in height. The natives set to work with a pair of 
strong scissors, and cut all the young shoots off close by 
the stump ; they are then either stripped of their leaves, 
or taken home in bundles and stripped afterwards. Before 
this operation takes place, the plants seem in a high 
state of health, producing vigorous shoots and fine large 
and thick shining leaves. After the leaves have been 
taken off, the bushes look like a collection of dead 
stumps, and in the middle of summer have a curious 
wintry appearance ; but the rain, which falls copiously, 
and the fertility of the soil, soon revive a succulent 
plant like the mulberry. The Chinese seem very par- 
ticular in stirring up the earth amongst the roots of the 
bushes immediately after the young branches and leaves 
have been taken off, and the plantations appear to have 
great attention paid to them. 
The farms are small, and are generally worked by the 
family and relatives of the farmer ; who not only plant, 
graft, and cultivate the mulberry, but also gather the 
leaves, feed the silkworms, and Avind the silk off the 
cocoons. 
During my progress through the silk- district I visited 
a great number of cottages where the worms were feed- 
ing. They are commonly kept in dark rooms, fitted up 
