& [ 175 ] 



The folloiving queries were propounded by the Secretary of the 

 Treasury, to the various persons in the United States, to whom 

 a copy of the Resolution of the House of Representatives was 

 transmitted. 



1. What efforts have been made in the State of , if any, 



and at what periods of time, to raise silk ? 



2. Whence was the silkworm obtained ? Is this insect a native 



of , and, if so, in what respects does it differ, if any, from 



the oriental or foreign silkworm? Are there any varieties of this insect 

 known in ? Please to describe whatever kinds there may be. 



3. Does the mulberry flourish in , in its different varieties; 



what soil suits it best; is the white mulberry an indigenous tree? If 

 not, has it been found to thrive as well in the United States as the red 

 and black mulberry? Which of the latter is indigenous, or are both? 



4. Does the silkworm feed as well upon the red and black mulber- 

 ry as upon the white ? Is there any other leaf or plant known in 

 this country upon which it does feed; and, above all, will it yield silk 

 of equal quality when £ed upon any other leaf or food, as upon that of 

 the white mulberry? 



5. Be pleased to state the best methods of raising and multiplying 

 the several species of the mulberry tree; how it is propagated; how 

 old it should be before transplanting; what particular modes of treating 

 it are required; the age at which it should begin to furnish food for the 

 worm; whence trees or cuttings can be obtained for transplantation; 

 the price per hundred; how many trees should be planted on an acre: 

 and would it, or would it not, be profitable to cultivate the mulberry, 

 for the purpose of feeding the worm, in the form of a bush or shrub ? 



6.. What quantity of raw silk ought to be produced from an acre of 

 full-grown mulberry trees, planted and reared in the best manner? 

 How many silkworms are required to produce a pound of raw silk ? 

 What quantity of raw silk can be produced from an acre of mulberry- 

 trees, by other modes of cultivation than the full-grown tree ? 



7. Be pleased to state, as much in detail as may be in your power, 

 the methods of treating the silkworm, with a view to raising the best 

 silk, and in the greatest quantity; embracing, particularly, the habits of 

 the insect, as to appetite, cleanliness, position, or accommodations, 

 whilst the cocoon is forming; the species of twig or branch on which 

 it is best that it should be spun; temperature, and degree of light most 

 favorable to the insect; and all other circumstances which may affect 

 its health and strength, and its capacity to yield a perfect cocoon; al- 

 so, a description of the process of forming the silk by the insect until 

 the cocoon is completed; the best modes of treating the cocoon, and of 

 obtaining the silk; and how far the labor of females, children, and old 

 men, may be usefully employed in the culture of silk ? 



8. What difference, if any, exists between the Chinese and Italian 

 or Spanish worm ; which country is reputed to produce the best insect, 

 and what particular part of the country ? 



9. Does the climate of admit of raising silk with full advan- 

 tage in the open air; or is it best that the insect should always be housed '■ 



