d successfully propagated. For six
centuries the breeding of silk-worms was confined to the Greeks of the Lower
Empire. In the twelfth century the art was transferred to Sicily, and thence
successively to Italy, Spain, and France.

Great efforts were made in the reign of James I. to promote the rearing of
silk-worms in England, and mulberry trees were distributed to persons of
influence through many counties. The scheme failed. But in 1718 a company
was incorporated, with a like purpose, and planted trees, and erected
buildings in Chelsea Park. This scheme also failed. Great efforts were made
to plant the growth of silk in the American colonies, and the brilliant
prospects of establishing a new staple of export formed a prominent feature
in the schemes for American colonization, of which so many were launched in
the beginning of the eighteenth century. But up to the present time no
progress has been made in it in that country, although silk-worms are found
in a natural state in the forests of the Union. Indeed, it seems a pursuit
which needs cheap attentive labour as well as suitable climate. Some
attempts have been made in Australia, but there again the latter question
presents an insurmountable obstacle. If the mulberry would thrive in Natal,
where native labour is cheap, it would be worth trying there, although we
cannot do better than develop the resources of the silk-growing districts of
India, where the culture has been successfully carried on for centuries.

At the Great Exhibition an extremely handsome banner was exhibited,
manufactured from British silk, cultivated by the late Mrs. Whitby of
Newlands, near Southampton, who spent a large income, and many years in the
pursuit, solely from philanthropic motives, and carried on an extensive
correspondence with parties inclined to assist her views; but, although to
the last she was sanguine of success in making silk one of the raw staples of
England, and a profitable source of employment for women and children, we
have seen no commercial evidence of any more real progress than that of
gardeners in growing grapes and melons without glass-houses.

Almost every country in Europe has made the same attempts, but with very
moderate success. Russia has its mulberry plantations, so has Belgium,
Austria Proper, Hungary, Bavaria, and even Sweden; but Lombardy and Cevennes
in France bear away the palm for excellence, and there is an annual increase
in the quantity a