Silk Worms

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The breeding of silk-worms is becoming an important branch ot industry in Germany ; and is so in the northern as well as the southern parts, though the general impression is that silk worms cannot thrive in a northern temperature. The first attempts to establish this branch of industry in the north were made by French Protestant refugees in the District of Wurtzburg, in 1594, and they were encouraged by the Prussian Sovereigns. In the middle of the seventh century, the ramparts of Petz and the environs of Frankfort on the Oder, were planted with mulberry trees, and in the following century Frederick the Great caused plantations to be made at Cpnik, Potsdam, and in the immediate vicinity of Berlin. Since 1881 the production of silk hfts become considerable, not only in Prussia, but in the other States of the Zollverein ; the an-nual production is at present several thousand pounds. In quality it is remarkably white, and finer then that in the southern countries ; and Berlin manufacturers say that if enough of it could be obtained, they would not apply to the producers of Lombardy. From Berlin and Potsdam the cultivation of mulberry trees gradually extended to Silesia and Hanover. It is schoolmasters who chiefly occupy themselves with itmdash;one of their body having in the eighteenth century commenced it as a means ot adding to his income . and some of these persons now gain from 2 to 80 thalers annually. Several of the German Governments encourage the productions of silk by granting premiums, and causing societies of patronage to be tormed. A short time ago, the Minister of Commerce recommended that the sides of all the railways should be planted with mulberry trees. The King of Wurtemberg has caused the French translation of the Chinese treatise on the breeding of silkworms to be translated into German, and to be extensively circulated at Dresden. In the Grand Duchy of Baden the roads and the sides ot the railways have been planted with mulberry trees, and in the village of Ilgen, near Heidelberg, the breeding of worms has been carried on, during the last twelve years, on an extensive scale. Austria, on its part, is sparing no pains to increase its production, which already amounts to about 100,-000,000f. annuallymdash;one half coming from Lombardy alone. On the military frontier of Turkey a garden ot mulberry trees has been established in every village, and the military colonists are encouraged to extend the cultivation. At Prague the fosses of the fortifications have been planted with mulberry trees, and orders have been given that such trees shall also be planted by the side ot all the railway in the monarchy. The average price of gas in England is $1,20 per thousand cubic feet; this is less by $2,60 than it is.in New York City. All the work-ng people there burn it. J,

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 18This article was published with the title “Silk Worms” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 18 (), p. 138
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican01151853-138e

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