512 [Senate 



Henry Chapin, JYewport, Sullivan co., JV. H. — Is engaged both in 

 growing and manufacturing, and answers the questions to both. 



No. of years engaged, 4 



No. of acres of land employed, 2 



No. of trees not known fully. 



Capital invested, , $200 



Amount of cocoons prior to 1844, (lbs.) 650 



Amount in 1844, 250 



Cost in 1844, $25 



Value of the same, $100 



Manufacturing — number of years engaged, 3 



Amount of capital invested, $500 



Amount of American stock used, (lbs.) 175 



No. females employed during fall and winter, 4 



Yards of vestings, 30 



No. of cravats and handkerchiefs, 167 



Yards ladies' dresses, 75 



Total amount of goods, $1,550 



I am highly gratified in observingthe noble efforts of the American 

 Institute, in regard to the growth and manufacture of silk. Four 

 years experience, even in this cold climate, has fully satisfied me that 

 the silk culture is not only practicable, but can be made to repay the 

 culturist for his labor. In 1841 I built a silk factory on a small stream, 

 20 feet by 30, two stories high, with a basement ; it has twenty-seven 

 windows. I hatch and feed my worms in my dwelling house until 

 after the fourth moulting. I then remove them to my factory, which 

 being plastered, I can more easily secure from mice, &c. Windows 

 raised in warm weather, day and night ; closed in cold nights. I 

 think artificial heat indispensable, especially at the time of winding, 

 if the weather is cold. 1 have used air-slack lime ; I feed two crops of 

 worms in a season ; the first crop generally the best ; I feed almost 

 exclusively on multicaulis. Enough of good foliage, cleanliness, good 

 air, and plenty of room, are the grand secret. My second crop this 

 season is the best, owing, I think, to selecting the mature leaves. 



Martin Phelps, Pre&/e, Cortland co.^JV. Y. — Have been engaged in 

 feeding three years ; one- half an acre employed ; 6,500 trees ; $100 

 capital invested. Previous to 1844 raised sixty-three pounds of co- 

 coons ; in 1844, one hundred and eight pounds, at a cost of $29.50, 

 valued at $52, including the State bounty. 



The above is a detail of my operations in this cause during the last 

 season. Last year I sold between four and five bushels at the State 

 prison at Auburn ; but now I understand they have discontinued the 

 business there, which leaves us without a market. We need a fila- 

 ture and factory in central New-York, in order to make a market for 

 our cocoons for those of us who do not understand reeling. 



My operations, as you see, are on a small scale, and should the 

 State discontinue the bounty, we should get just^about enough to co- 

 ver the expense of hoeing the trees, and feeding ; especially if we sell 

 for $3 or $3.50 per bushel ; but I am not discouraged. I believe the 



