The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-03-07
GUorrrster:
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1927.
AGRICULTURAL.


FRUIT TREEs.-There has been some spee.
niation on the subject Of the frequent failure
oil stone fruit. Last year the peach aud apri-
cot very generally, and the cherry and plumb
In many places, did not bear This has gone.
rally been attributed to the late frosts in the
spring. Yet we have frequently very produce
tive seasons when there are late frosts, even
alter the blossoms begin TO open. Where
they are opened, frosts destroy them, but
where they are not, we apprehend they do no
INJURY. tIiend of ours, who has paid much
attention TO the cultivation of fruit, informs us,
that he is satisfied, from many years. observa-
ton, that the failure oil stone fruit is generally
owing to frosts early in the fall, which de-
stroy the flower buds when newly formed and
tender. We recollCct to have heard him say.
last winter, that the Towering buds of the
peach tree were destroyed by the frost of the
September preceding, aud that we should.
consequently, have no peaches the succeeding
season, and the result verified bis prediction
lie says That the buds are now good, and that,
II there are no frosts after the flowers open, the
prospect for such fruit will be good. We know
not whether this view Of the subject is orisi-
nal, and should like to have the views of 9th
ers who have been accustomed to the cultiva-
ton OF such fruit.
CULTURE OF SILK.-The Secretary Of the.
Treasury, some time since, sent circulars =
the Governors Of the several States, making
inquiries relative to the culture of silk ANDY
OF the mulberry tree, and they, in turn sub
mitted the queries to such persons as could
give the necessary information on the subject.
The last NeIO- England Farmer contains a
communication from Gov. Lincoln, accompa-
med by an interesting article by George A.
Tufts, Esq. of Dudley, in reply to these que
rles. We have extracted the most important
parts of the article, to which we have append
ed such remarks as some experience in the
business has suggested
No kind or species ofthe mulberry is indig-
enous in Massachusetts but the cultivated
tree, particularly the white, grows luxuri-
antly in this vicinity. deep mellow and
rich loan suits the tree best.
"lhe experiment of feeding the worm upon
the red or black mulberry has never been
made here. Although the black mulberry is
the favore tree, and much to be preferred to
the white in some parts of France, yet it is
here believed and boldly asserted, that the
worm will make no silk when fed npon the
black mulberry, which is common to this part
of the country. Whether this belief is found
ed on error or whether our black mulberry
tree differs from that of France and Italy
know not.y
This belief is surely erroneous. Repeated
experiments prove, that, although the worm
prefers the white mulberry leaf, yet it will
thrive equally we'll on the black. When kept
entirely on the black mulberry leaf, the silk is
stronger and about one-third coarser. One
hundred threads, as reeled from the cocoon,
make proper sized thread for common sew
ing silk when fed on the former, and sixty
seven answers the same purpose when fed on
the latter.
"The Currant leaf and Briar have been used
as a succedaneum in cases of necessity. The
worm feeds and grows upon these leaves, but
will not make silk from them. They are re-
sorted to as temporary expedient only, in
the early par: Of the season, when the null
berry is not sufficiently matured.
Z" The method of cultivating the mulberry in
this neighborhood is by standard trees. The
tree is propagated from the seed and cannot
be grown from the slip without difficulty. The
seeds are sown in beds and in rows, two feet
apart, in the same manner apple seeds are
sown, where they are cultivated until they
are fit for transportation, period of two or
three years. ltisno uncommon thing for the
plants during the first winter to be cut down
by the frost; but they shoot up again and
grow with fresh vigor in the following spring.
The tree will ordinarily furnish food for the
worm in about four or five years. They may 4
be stripped for that purpose as soon as the !
second year, Il the main Branch or DpTght 4