[ 175 ] 26 



from the refuse silk, and worn in those counties, was not taken into 

 consideration. They may be fairly estimated at half of the above sum. 

 In the 3^ear 1825, inquiries were made by the writer, in Windham 

 county, as to the increased attention to the silk culture there, and it 

 was found that the value of the silk, and of the domestic fabrics man- 

 ufactured in that county, was double that of the year 1810. It was 

 also found, that sewing silk was part of the circulating medium, and 

 that it was readily exchanged at the stores for other articles, upon 

 terms which were satisfactory to both parties, and that the balance of 

 the account, when in favor of the seller, was paid in silver. The only 

 machines for making the sewing silk, are the common domestic small 

 and large wheels; but practice supplies the defects of these imperfect 

 implements. With better machinery, sewing silk of a superior quality 

 would be made. At present, <' three-fourths of the families in Mans- 

 field, are engaged in raising silk, and make, annually, from 5 to 10, 

 20, and 50 pounds in a family, and one or two have made, each, 100 

 po^mds in a season. It is believed that there are annually made in 

 Mansfield, and the vicinity, from three to four tons.* 



The farmers consider the amount received for their sewing silk as 

 so much clear gain, as the business does not interfere with the regular 

 farm work of the men, or the domestic duties of the females, upon 

 whom, with the aged and youthful members of the family, the care of 

 the worms, and the making of the sewing silk, chiefly devolves. It is 

 known also, that in the other New England States, Maine excepted, 

 more or less attention to the silk culture is given. 



During the late war with England, Samuel Chidsey, of Cayuga 

 county. New York, sold sewing silk to the amount of $ 600 a year. 

 Mr. C. introduced the white mulberry tree in the town of Scipio, on 

 its first settlement.! Silk was, also, formerly raised by the French in- 

 habitants, in the country now the State of Illinois, but to what extent 

 is not known. J 



The cultivation of silk has commenced in the States of Ohio and 

 Kentucky, and there is every reason to believe that it will extend. 

 The first mentioned State contains a great number of citizens who for- 

 merly resided in the silk-growing districts of Connecticut and Massa- 

 chusetts, and who will doubtless see their interest in renewing a branch 

 of business from which they formerly derived so much profit. In the 

 latter State, it is chiefly confined to those industrious people, the United 

 Brethren, whose steady, persevering labors and intelligence, are the- 

 surest guarantees of success. 



* Z. Storrs, Esq. of Mansfield: answer to the silk circular. 



Tiie manufactiu'e of silk is chiefly confined to the counties of Windham and Tol- 

 land. The quantity made in live towns, last season, 1827, according- to an accurate 

 statement, was as follows : 



Mansfield 2,430 lbs. I Ashford 500 lbs. 1 Coventry 350 lbs. 



Chaplin 550 do. j Hampton 467 do. | 



Worth four dollars per pound. The value increases one-fourth in manufacturing. 

 Several towns in which mucli silk is made, gave no returns. Letter to the Seerc 

 tary of the Treasiuy, by D. Bulkeley, Esq. 



f Mr. David Tlioirrs: letter in answer to tl.e silk circulav. 



'f Governor Coles: letter in answer to the silk circular. 



