282 THE NURSERY. [March. 
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 may be 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 265. The cultivating of both kinds I think the 
more necessary, from the different opinions entertained of their util- 
ity for this purpose, and the universal admission of either kind an- 
swering the end. 
The next is to procure the eggs, which 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 from dead leaves, 
and their own dirt. A man and boy will attend all the worms that 
come from six ounces of eggs, and those, one year with another, 
will spin twenty pounds weight of silk. 
The method of clearing off their dirt is this; spread a net over the 
worms, on which lay fresh food; they will all crawl through the meshes 
to feed on the leaves, when they may be taken up without the least 
injury, and their shelves cleaned effectually: after which lay fresh 
twigs with leaves on the shelves; over these lay the nets, and they 
will return to their former places, when the' nets may be laid by till 
wanted again for a similar purpose. In some countries, the worms 
are suffered to feed and work upon the trees; but their being subject, 
under such circumstances, to the ravages of birds, unfavourable 
changes of weather, he they are generally kept in houses or sheds 
erected for that purpose. \ 
In Turkey, the worms are fed in long barns, made, both walls 
and roofs, of reed or cane; where they are fed, and afterwards spin 
their clues upon these reeds. In Italy and Spain, they are kept to 
feed in the same rooms, wherein the people live and do their other 
household affairs, feeding them on shelves and tables without more 
curiosity. 
It is observed, that the worms are commonly sick three or four 
times during their feeding, generally about ten days after they are 
hatched, and at weekly periods afterwards. Their best treatment, du- 
ring these times is, to give them but little food while sick. The 
whole time of their feeding is, about seven weeks; and as they get 
strength and grow bigger, i! need hardly be said that you must give 
them more, and oftener. The leaves should not be given to the 
worms, whilst wet with dew or rain. 
