548 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



trary, though, nothing definite can be said as to the result of the 

 limited experiments already made, the indications point to Osage 

 Orange as at least the equal of Mulberry as silk-worm food, and con- 

 firm in continuous reeling the conclusions arrived at^in x^revious 

 years, and which we have reiterated in past writings. 



THE SERRELL REEL — COST OP WORK UP TO THE PRESENT TIME. 



In regard to the more important feature of our experiments we 

 have not yet gone far enough to be willing to venture any opinion 

 upon the probable outcome of the work. The limited appropriation 

 prevented the setting up of more than six reels, though we had hoped 

 to obtain twelve. Even with these six it has been somewhat slow 

 work to train the young girls employed in their operation, and the 

 consequent sale of the silk produced has been delayed longer than 

 we anticipated. But at the best we cannot this year hope for results 

 which will be more than indicative of the future prospects of the 

 industry; for there are so many items of loss in the operation of a 

 small establishment, which would not occur in a larger one worked 

 under what we may call factory conditions, that it is impossible to 

 make altogether accurate estimates. We shall be able, however, to 

 show the silk manufacturers of the country what quality of silk can 

 be made from American cocoons, and to give capitalists some indica- 

 tions of the probable profit to be realized or loss to be suffered in 

 working a filature supplied with the best machines. We hope to be 

 able to give in our next annual report the result of at least nine 

 months of work under as favorable conditions as are possible with a 

 small establishment. 



The expenses of the operation of the experimental filature have 

 been so far as follows: 



Per week. 



1 forewoman • • • • $8 65 



5 operatives 23 08 



Total 31 73 



Or of each of the five reeling days, $6.35. 



It has been found best to reel forty hours per week, and employ the 

 time Saturday in sorting cocoons, so that the above sum ($6.35) in- 

 cludes the total expense for productive labor employed in making one 

 day's product. 



Only five of the reels have been in operation. The best product 

 macle on the five reels mentioned has been 850 grams per diem (1.87 

 pounds). 



This silk has cost us: 



For Jabor as above $6 35 



For cocoons 7 29 



Total 13 64 



The value of the product would be, at mmimum figures (1.87 pounds of siik, 



at $5) 9 35 



Waste 1 50 



Total 10 85 



This will show a daily loss of $2.79, or a loss of approximately 

 $1.50 per pound of silk produced, not including interest on capital 

 involved or cost of superintendence. It is not a very good showing, 



