Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-12-11
From tie Boston -4drocote, -Noc. %. }
THE MULBERRY TREE.

see by advertisement in your paper that there is
IL be sale of Morus Mucaulls or Chinese Mulberry
Trees, at Cunninghams Auction Room, on Tuesday
next As am some hat acquainted with this tree and
feel some degree Of interest in its cultivation, and It's
important bearing on our mercantile interests, you will
"bige me by allowing The following statement of facts
insertion IN your paper:
7sO rootsof the Morus Multicaus were planted about
the 18th Of May last eighth of an acre of ground
third Of them planted in layers two feet long
one third Of them in layers foot long and third
Of them in roots only.
On the lst Of July, they numbered 500 trees, from
II to Is inches high, and at the end of the
raging feet high.
The quantity of leaves gathered from these
trees was ll64 lbs.
Number Of worms fed 92,000
Yielding nine bushels cocoons, % lbs
And one pound of silk per bushel 9
Waste silk and floss, | "
The above is at The rate Of 70 pounds Of silk per acre
which, at the present price 81 80 per pound, after de-.
Quoting The expense OF Keeling, will leave nett profit Of
$500 per acre.
II will be seen by the above statement that 240 trees
may he planted in the usual way, that is in cuttings
layers, of ground and that they will produce
IS 400 trees season. We will suppose then that 80
trees be bought for dollar each, and that they
are planted eighth Of an of ground and null
liply according 10 the above ralio there will then be
500 trees, which if sold fall at dollar each
will bring "a e00-deduct from this the cos! of the
trees planted, and have the handsome of 81 020
nett profit resulting from eighth Of of ground
acre of ground To be S32 600
The above calculation is made upon the superstition
that the planted will yield only about and fold,
aud that the trees raised from these will bring only the
prices which good trees like those to be sold
ton, selling for but there some trees among
those TO be offered which will number hundred
buds, and which, when planted, will yield from twenty
~ fifty fold-or. it asserted by the growers Of this
Long Island, that nearly every bud planted be-
comes tree-lhat u.s. if the preserved for propa
guting are properly taken Of and that they
sure Of a crop corr. or other grain
would state, that the only way TO propagate the &C.
nulne Multcaus is, by planting engratng the buds
shoots-the eeed will not produce the right kind Of
tree.
The reason why make this statement u.s. that be-
eve this community is not sufficiently interested in the
cultivation of the Morus Mutcaus and the culture of
silk The growing Of this tree and The manufacturing
of silk goods is destined 10 be the extensive as
well the most profitable business Of this county
Millions of money have been sent out of this country
annually for silk goods, which might we'll be cultured
and manufactured into various fabrics here else
The great obstacle in the way OF growing silk in this
c1untry has been that have not been able produces
sufficient quantities Of food for the silk worms bu, since
the Morus Mucaulis has been introduced The coun.
try (Which not till quite recently this difficulty is
removed inasmuch as this invaluable tree will produce
any quantity Of foliage for The that may be de.
sred and the labor required in the culture of silk can
most Of il be performed by and children and
aged people. The capitalists Of the Southern and West.
sections Of our country taking hold Of this en-.
terprse with zeal which warrants lis ultimate success.
The probability s that the demand for this tree which
has exceeded all estimates, will increase instead Of di.
mnish, as some have supposed. have just received
intelligence from gentleman in Ohio that the dema nd
for the Multicaus is such in that vicinity, that
root branch bud of that tree be had any price,
and that should the Legislature Of that State grant
bounty for the culture Of silk las in all probability they
WILLY as New Jersey and Penns yIvania have done all
the trees that be raised in New England in years
will moi supply Ohio. +. B.