504 [Senate 



3d. That there is scarcely a farm in the State of Maine which does 

 not include some portion of land on which the mulberry will live, 

 and annually yield foliage for the profitable culture of silk. 



4th. That the greater proportion of failures are the result of igno- 

 rance or inattention ; mostly the latter. Perhaps, however, igno- 

 rance may be the cause of inattention, in many instances. In rainy 

 weather — [much less in fair weather — A. C, V. E,] — it will not do 

 to put off till to-morrow what ought to be done to-day. 



5th. That pure air and cleanliness are the main things in rearing 

 worms. 



6th. That a steady temperature of about 70° will, with proper feed- 

 ing, greatly promote the growth and productiveness of the worm, and 

 shorten the time of its labors ; especially at the time of winding is 

 such a temperature indispensable. This is important at the moultings 

 also. 



7th. That wet leaves will not injure worms, if lime be used and 

 they be more frequently cleaned. Salt is good in wet weather. 



8th. That sick worms may be restored by the use of lime. 



(It will be a most happy thing for silk worms when this cleaning, 

 liming, salting, warming, &c., can give place to the more successful 

 plan of feeding on open frames or cradles, and their foliage placed 

 before them as nature designed it should be — on the branches. — A. 

 C. V. E.) 



Lucius Gary, Moreau, Saratoga co., JY. Y. — I have been engaged 

 in the culture of silk in a small way for four years. In 1838 I raised 

 about 33 pounds of cocoons ; in 1844 about 135 pounds, and had 

 foliage enough to have fed 200 pounds more, which were lost in con- 

 sequence of not having eggs. Live and learn. 



We have reeled the same and received encouragement to persevere. 

 Took the premium of the American Institute in 1843 ; also the first 

 premium at the State Fair at Poughkeepsie. (Is not this encourag- 

 ing 1) My reeler had never seen a reel or reeled silk ; have picked 

 our leaves and fed on shelves ; our worms wind in oak bushes. 



(Mr. Gary took also the first premium at the 17th annual fair of the 

 American Institute. — A. C. V. E.) 



Hugh Gassiday, Eden, Effingham co.^ Ga. — Answer to questions 

 regularly given. 



No. of years engaged 5 



No. of acres of land employed 12 



No. of trees 25,000 



Capital invested, not known. 



No. of pounds of cocoons prior to 1844 200 



do do do in 1844 230 



Value of cocoons, ($3 per bushel) $70 



The cocoons we have reeled, and are making into sewings, which 

 will be worth nearly $200 in this place. 



Henry Ghapin, Canandaigua, Ontario co.^ JV. F. — I have not done 

 much this season, but have been cultivating my trees to enable me to 

 do more next year. I began on the 20th of June with an ounce of 

 eggs, and they have done well ; were healthy, and spun good co- 

 coons, 20 pounds. I am satisfied that early feeding is much the best. 



