March.] THE NURSERY. Ogl 
mankind, Dr. Benjamin Franklin. That so useful a pursuit 
should be sutt'ered to die away in a country as well adapted for it 
as any in the universe, is as extraordinary as it is unfortunate and 
injurious to the real interest of the nation." 
Trees which are designed to feed silk worms should never be 
sutt'ered to grow tall, but rather kept in a sort of hedge; and instead 
of pulling oft" the leaves singly, the young twigs should be cut oft' 
with them on, which is much sooner done, and not so injurious to 
the trees. This is the more interesting as the mulberry makes a 
tolerably good hedge, and can be used with advantage for both 
purposes. 
The raising and manufacture of silk, as well as every other new 
establishment, can only be brought to perfection, and consequently 
into repute, by the industry of some wealthy individuals, or by 
established companies whose united ettbrts will surmount the diffi- 
culties which always present themselves in new undertakings; for 
we every day see those that deal in small quantities in any way of 
life, or in any commodities whatever, generally unsuccessful, whilst 
at the same time, others possessed of wealth, or in established socie- 
ties, dealing largely in the same articles, acquire vast property and 
riches J merely from being able to attbrd constant and regular 
employment for the people engaged in the business, and having 
due attention paid to every department thereof. 
The vast wealth of Lyons, and of various other places, gained 
from the labours of this little insect, plainly show that where no 
accommodations or materials are wanted to employ a multitude of 
hands in a regular society or combination of undertakers, the silken 
manufacture must answer; and that people may grow rich thereby, 
as well in America, as in any other country, if similarly pursued, is 
too self evident to bear contradiction. 
With a view and expectation that this business maybe attempted 
successfully, I shall contribute my mite by giving the best informa- 
tion that I have been able to acquire on the subject; not in the least 
doubting but that better may be easily obtained, for the introduction 
of this important work. 
The first object is to raise a sufficient quantity of mulberry-trees, 
of both the white and black kinds, which are very easily propagated, 
as directed in page 264. The cultivating of both kinds I think the 
more necessary, from the different opinions entertained of their 
utility for this purpose, and the universal admission of either kind 
answering the end. 
The next is to procure the eggs, about the beginning of May, 
or when the mulberry begins to expand its leaves, to lay them 
on paper or flannels placed on shelves, in warm exposures, where 
they may have the heat of the sun to hatch them. In Sicily, boarded 
or frame houses are commonly erected for this purpose in the fields, 
among the mulberry trees, with a number of shelves rising one 
above another, and a large table in the middle of the room, on 
which, when they are hatched, to lay over them the young twigs 
bearing the leaves intended for their food, which must be removed 
and renewed as often as necessary; keeping them always clean 
2 M 
