Regarding the proper installation and care of the mulberry tree — if you consider yourself a "public-spirited" citizen, you'll plant one immediately after reading this. For those looking to go the extra mile in expressing their republican virtue: you'll encourage your wives to drop whatever it is they do all day in favor of raising silkworms. From the
Pennsylvania Gazette, reprinted in the
Boston News-Letter of March 8, 1770 (spelling preserved, line breaks mine):
Within two Years last past, several Persons have raised Silk Worms within this and the neighbouring Provinces, and from their Success, we have great Hopes that it may be made a staple Commodity with us, for the Climate has agreed remarkably well with the Worm hitherto; our Summers are long enough to afford two Crops; the native Mulberry of this Country, is as good as any other to feed the Worm; the Silk which has been raised here, is of the best Quality; the Management of the Worm no ways difficult, and a Woman can earn more at raising Silk, than any other Business in the same Time.
But unless we have Mulberry Trees for to feed the Worms, the Culture of Silk cannot be carried on to any great Extent; and as many People might be willing to promote it by encreasing the Quantity of Mulberry Trees, provided they thought of it in a suitable Season; therefore this is to advertise all such, that the most favourable Time to propagate them is now approaching; and it is to be hoped, that every public spirited Person will use their Endeavours for that Purpose; the Expence of which will be small, the Trouble and Risque but little, and the Advantages many, although they should not be used for the Purpose of raising Silk; for the Mulberry is very good to feed and fatten Poultry, and the Wood, for many Uses, is equal to any that grows, especially for Ship-building, and it is said to be as durable as red Cedar, in Posts, &c. when full grown.
