March.] THE NURSERY. 281 
ti plied and worked in the same manner, as in those climates, where 
they first became the objects of human attention and care. Vast 
numbers of these insects were soon reared in different parts of Greece, 
particularly in the Peloponnesus. Sicily afterwards undertook to 
breed silk-worms, with equal success, and was imitated, from time 
to time, in several towns of Italy. In all these places, extensive ma- 
nufactures were established, with silk of domestic production. 
From the reign of Justinian, it was mostly in Greece, and some of 
the adjacent islands, that silk-worms were reared. Soon after the 
conquest of Constantinople by the Venetians, in the year 1204, they 
attempted the establishment of the silk manufacture in their domi- 
nions; and in a short time, the silk fabrics of Venice, vied with those 
of Greece and Sicily. 
About the beginning of the fourteenth century, the Florentine ma- 
nufactures of silk, became very considerable. It was introduced 
much later into France; the manufacture of silk, though considera- 
bly encouraged by Henry IV. not having been fully established 
there, till under Louis XIV. by Colbert. 
It is an established and well known fact, that both the white and 
black mulberry trees, grow as well, in almost every part of the Uni- 
ted States, as in any country on earth; and also that silk, has been 
raised and manufactured into a most excellent fabric, under the di- 
rection of that great and venerable patriot, and friend of mankind, 
Dr. Benjamin Franklin. That so useful a pursuit should be suf- 
fered 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 
suffered to grow tall, but rather kept in a sort of hedge: and instead 
of pulling off the leaves singly, the young twigs should be cut off 
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 pur- 
poses. 
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 efforts 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 soci- 
eties, dealing largely in the same articles, acquire vast property and 
riches; merely from being able to afford constant and regular em- 
ployment for the people engaged in the business, and having due at* 
tention 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, 
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