53 
THE CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 
Head by A. Maktelu, Esq., at a Meeting had September 15, 1864. 
“ From a ploughed field is not only springing up wheat, but the entire 
civilization of a country.” — Lam art ink. 
Mr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen, — I would crave your in¬ 
dulgence and attention to this paper on the cultivation of the mul¬ 
berry, as it is one of great importance to the future welfare of the 
colony. In support of this remark I may mention that in two 
provinces of Northern Italy, viz., Piedmont and Lombardy, with au 
area of about twenty-five millions of acres, that after supplying the 
home market, the annual value of raw silk and cocoons exported 
amounts to upwards of six millions sterling. It will be no exagger¬ 
ation to foresee that Victoria, with a surface of sixty millions of 
acres, a soil and climate better adapted if anything than that of the 
North of Italy for the production of Silk, will be in a position, in 
a few years, with a properly directed movement, to export more than 
twelve millions worth of silk and cocoons annually. The obstacle to 
this great success is however not confined to silk alone. The great evil 
of all countries is the listlessness that pervades the monied classes in all 
matters relating to agricultural interests, and it is against this apathy 
that we should endeavour to fight, by setting an example of activity 
to the poorer classes of the community, and by raising up an intelli¬ 
gent body of men fitted to carry out the projects designed for the 
furtherance of the cultivation of the soil. Complaint is useless 
where work is necessary to build up the future greatness of a country. 
Give a just direction to agricultural progress, specially by promoting 
the more industrious cultures, amongst which that of silk may be 
considered as one of the greatest sources of riches to a country, by 
the large returns on the distribution of a comparitavely small capital 
amongst the labouring classes, and you will have been worthily 
assisting in the great work of the erection of the edifice of social 
happiness and well-being. It wall now be necessary to bring under 
your notice some principles of vegetable physiology, in order that we 
may draw deductions from them for the practical cultivation of the 
mulberry. Every tree that grows draws the elements of its existence 
from the decomposition of mineral and organic substances, by the action 
of the atmosphere and the dampness of the soil in which it is planted. 
This is done not only by the exterior roots, but also by the leaves 
and the skin of the yoimger branches, Nature beneficently provdiug 
the trunk of the tree with a thicker skin to withstand the rigour <Jf 
the elements. There exists such harmony in the provisions "for the 
growth of trees, that the leaves and roots are working simultaneously 
in the absorption of the principles necessary for the perfection of 
their vegetation. Those principles materially aid in the circulation 
of the sap, which is very rapid in the summer and under favourable 
circumstances, but it is nearly suspended during the winter months 
and the powers of the tree recruited and strengthened for the pro- 
