PREFACE. 
XM1 
their subsequent removal, however, caused 
this important opportunity to be neg- 
lected, and though the trees are said to 
have been very flourishing, they have since 
been entirely cut down. Such facts, how- 
ever, leave no doubt but that our climate 
is perfectly congenial to the white mul- 
berry, if cultivated with even moderate 
attention. 
A few words on the expedience of en- 
couraging this new branch of agriculture. 
Setting aside all that might very reason- 
ably be argued from the increasing con- 
sequence of the silk trade, and the disad- 
vantage of being wholly dependant on 
foreign supplies, let us turn our attention 
to Ireland, which, from many circum- 
stances, appears peculiarly favourable to 
such an undertaking. 
The climate of Ireland is temperate ; 
the Irish are an agricultural people, and 
much of the purposed plan is strictly 
agricultural. One of the objections raised 
to its success has been the value of la- 
bour. In Ireland labour is lower than on 
the continent, consequently, were this ob- 
