39 



The following calculation of the labor attending and 

 connected with the culture of silk, is by John Fitch, Esq. 

 of Mansfield, Conn, and is taken from the Manual pub- 

 lisher by order of Congress. One acre of full grown 

 mulberry trees, set one and a half rods apart, will pro- 

 duce 40 pounds of silk. 



The labor may be estimated as follows : 



For the three first weeks after the worms are hatch- 

 ed, one woman who is acquainted with the business, or 

 children who would be equal to such a person. 



For the next twelve or fourteen days, five hands or 

 what would be equal to five if performed by children, 

 In this period two men with other help would be employ- 

 ed to better advantage than all women and children. 

 This period finishes with the worms. For picking of 

 the balls and reeling the silk, it will require about the 

 same amount of labor for the same length of time as the 

 last mentioned period, which may all be performed by 

 women and children. The aforesaid labor and board 

 may be estimated at eighty dollars ; spinning the silk at 

 thirtyfour dollars ; forty pounds of silk, at the lowest cash 

 price is worth two hundred dollars, which makes the 

 following results. 



40 pounds silk at $5 per pound - - $900, 00 



Labor and board - 80,00 



Spinning 34,00 



114,00 



Net profit per acre $86,00 



The principal part of the labor may be performed by 

 women and children. But when the business is carried 

 on to a considerable extent it is considered more profita- 

 ble to employ some men for the last period of the worms. 



