6 
cost of food, eggs, special buildings, etc., because the manual was ad- 
dressed to those who would not have to incur these expenses (and I 
would not now recommend any one to embark in the industry who did 
not have these necessaries at command), yet these estimates have been 
criticised because silk-raisers have been unable to realize, in 1885, the 
profits which I considered attainable in 1879. For, though sharing the 
opinion of those directly connected with the silk trade, I then believed 
that the prices of raw silk and cocoons had reached as low a figure as 
they ever would, the belief proved subsequently unfounded, for fresh 
cocoons which in Europe sold in 1879 for 47 cents could be purchased, 
in 1885, for 35 cents per pound. Again, any estimates must needs be 
approximate only, as they will vary with the race. 
This great alteration in the value of silk products has necessarily im- 
paired the accuracy of the estimates given by me in the first edition of 
this pamphlet. I have therefore prepared another series of figures 
which are more nearly accurate to-day than the former ones, and are 
based on the French yellow race. 
PROFITS OF PRODUCING COCOONS: ESTIMATES FOR TWO ADULTS, OR MAN AND WIFE. 
Average number of eggs per standard ounce of 25 grams, in ordinary yellow races, 
37,500. 
Number of fresh cocoons per pound, 300 to 400. 
Average reduction in weight for choked cocoons, 66 per cent, 
Maximum amount of fresh cocoons from 1 ounce of eggs, 93 to 125 pounds. 
Allowing for deaths in rearing—26 per cent. being a large estimate—we thus get as 
the product of an ounce of eggs 69 to 92 pounds of fresh, or 23 to 31 pounds of choked, 
cocoons. 
Two adults can take charge of the issue of from 1 to 3, say 2, ounces of eggs, which 
will produce 138 to 184 pounds of fresh, or 46 to 62 pounds of choked cocoons. 
Price per pound of fresh cocoons (1885), 35 cents (300 cocoons per pound). 
184 pounds of fresh cocoons, at 35 cents, $64.40. 
Price per pound of fresh cocoons (1885), 25 cents (400 cocoons per pound). 
138 pounds of fresh cocoons, at 25 cents, $34.50. 
Price per pound of choked cocoons (1885), 80 cents to $1.15. 
Value of above products, choked, $36.80 to $71.30. 
APPROXIMATE COST OF REELING. 
Estimated product of 6 non-automatic steam reels for the 300 working days 
of the year—1,200 pounds of reeled silk, and 300 pounds of waste silk. 
Cost of production of 1,200 pounds of reeled silk, based on the Government 
experiments at New Orleans, in 1885: 
Value of plant: 
Six meols js! octs. Set. Se easetee ee eee ee eee ee $500. 00 
One stéam engine): 3.. ..< Se ee ee ee ee 600. 00 
Shafting and miscellaneous........:....--.-.-------- 400. 00 
1, 500. 00 
Interest and depreciation on plant, 20 per cent. perannum........ ....--- $300. 00 
Raw material : 
3,00 pounds|ot choked cocoons, atinliesese ee eee eee eee 5, 076. 00 
Labor (as shown at New Orleans), $1.12} per pound of silk......-. 1, 350. 00 
Puel,‘oil, ete. /c2c2t i (aes: s. oaaes SE ee eee 150. 00 
_—___—-——_—_. 
Potal Vusess covciev ses lee sldcee pe cee Se ee 6, 876. 00 
