Silkworm Rearing

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 48, 4 October 1884, Page 2

Silkworm Rearing

(BrG.B. Febebu) THE MULBBBBY TBBB (MoTUS alba). The first thing requisite' for successful silk culture is a good supply or mulberry trees, of a kind that experience has shown to be the best adapted for the purpose. It will be convienient, therefore, to say a few words here on the nature and habits of the mulberry tree. Great care must be exercised in the choice of variety, as the different 1 kinds rary very materially in their valHe for feeding silkworms. The difference in the value of cocoons, according as Suitable or unsuitable leaves may have been used, may be as much as 60 per cent. The kind which experience has taught to be the very best for the pnrpose is thnt known as therose-leaved mulberry. The leaf of this tree has a glossy appearance, and is soft and silky to the touch. It is a variety of the white mulberry (m(n*us alba ) The trees may be grown either from cuttings, layers, or by grafting on other mulberry stocks ; by the latter means varieties otherwise valueless may be made use of. A good result is obtained ' from grafting the white mulberry on the stock of the black variety, the robustness and hardihood of the blaok giving some of its strength to the more tender white variety, without detracting from its use for feeding purposes. 1 A. few words may here be said as to the manner of stripping the leaves of .the mulberry without injury to the tree. This is done by breaking off the shoots, leaving the stem bare. The stripper must, however, be careful not to bruise or crush the bark of the tree. To keep the leaves fresh when gathered, they should be put in a cool dark place, sucb as a cellar or upon the floor of a darkened room. The leaves ought to be stirred occasionally, or else they will heat. When gathered in wet weather, the leaves should be spread out on a dry floor or table, until all dampness has evaporated.