No. 85.J 517 



best, and the frames are easier made, and answer the purpose equally 

 well. I am sorry I cannot give more assistance in making up your 

 report. All that I can say at present, is that my expectations are 

 fully realized. I did not expect that this year would show me what 

 would be the profits arising from the business ; but I did expect that 

 it would show the practicability of employing time to advantage, which 

 would otherwise have not been wanted, for want of ability to attend 

 to any other employment. In the spring, while the worms were 

 hatching, and while feeding them, I was preparing in my mind an 

 article for your paper, which I promised myself should be somewhat 

 interesting, but concluded to defer it to another season, when further 

 experience should render my judgment more mature. I send you 

 some of the white cocoons : of the other, I had but few, and all the 

 millers were suffered to come out. I think I shall next year, cross 

 the white and the deep yellow, and produce a variety better than 

 either. 



D. Stebbins, 071 mulherry paper. — Dear Sir: In your last, was a 

 remark respecting the mulberry paper which I sent you, as being ad- 

 mirably calculated for the steel pen, not being encumbered with the 

 gorse of our common paper. Something may be attributed to the 

 Eagle Mills in this place, owned by the Hon. Wm. Clark ; his mills 

 are celebrated for an admirable finish of paper. You invite me to 

 attend the club without fail, and give explanations. I should not 

 dare be questioned very close, lest I should be induced to divulge a 

 hope, which may not be realized, of producing something which has 

 engaged my thoughts since I last wrote you. Perhaps it would be 

 prudent to stop here; but knowing that you would favor improvement, 

 I will merely state that 1 have the impression that there may be other 

 uses for good mulberry paper, such as I hope may be made from the 

 fresh gathered and pure foliage of the Canton mulberry, of a peculiar 

 quality and finish, such as is required for certain purposes, and which 

 is imported from China. Such a quality and finish, I hope may be 

 effected at the Eagle Mills. I have not yet disclosed my views to 

 the proprietor. The mills have been making thorough repairs, which 

 may defeat my project, but hope that eventually something may be 

 made superior to the samples you now have, which was made of very 

 impure stock, gathered the previous year, and exposed to all weath- 

 ers, and fit only, as I supposed, for the uses of and convenience of 

 silk-worms. But by your last favor, and another from Mr. Ells- 

 worth, commissioner of patents, it appears there were some good 

 qualities in the paper sent you, although made of the poorest stock. 

 It has been stated by a gentleman who knou^s the fact, that in the 

 India islands, and probably in China, rags are not used for making 

 paper of any kind, especially for the objects to which I have alluded. 

 Thus you see I am not idle in thoughts about matters and things con- 

 cerning the mulberry patch. 



Thomas Douglas, Macariz, East Florida^ Feb. 21^^, 1843. — Dear 

 Sir : Although my experience in the silk culture may be of little 

 value, yet being added to the general stock which is now being gath- 



