45 



ed at his filature, which he has sent to different markets 

 to try the prices.* 



Mr D'Homergue divides the raw^silk into three qual- 

 ities, graduated according to their different degrees of 

 fineness. These different qualities, before they undergo 

 the operations that are to fit them for the loom, are dis- 

 tinguished as first, second and third qualities beginning 

 with the finest. They assume other names as soon as 

 they have been prepared and made fit for the manufac- 

 turer. Then they have ceased to be raw silk, and they 

 are called singles, organzine and tram silks, according 

 to their different degrees of fineness, and the manner in 

 which they have been passed through a certain machine 

 called a mill. 



* Since writing the above I have visited thn city of Philadelphia, 

 and was politely favored by Mr Du Ponceau, with liberty to make 

 several visits to his nursery and filature. The filature was establish- 

 ed by Mr Du Ponce-iu under the direction of Mr D'Homergue, 

 in which ten reels have been employed, each of which is worked 

 by two women under the superintendence of Mr D'Homergue. This 

 filature is not in a room, but under a shed en'irely open on one side 

 with hangings from the roof on the other, which may be opened 

 when required to promote a free circnlation of air. The reels of 

 this filature are made chiefly on the model of the Piedmontese reel, 

 (vide plate) somewhat simplified by Mr D'Homergue, Mr D'Homer- 

 gue put one of these reels in operaHon in my presence, and it ap- 

 peared to work very easily. The silk reeled by Mr D'Homergue, at 

 that time, I have preserved as a specimen, and have since been in- 

 formed by an intelligent merchant of New York, that it would bring 

 seven dollars a pound in France I was also shown several parcels 

 of sewing silk, manufactured by Mr D'Homergue, from the refuse 

 cocoons. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the fairness and 

 liberality of these gentlemen in introducing me to every depart- 

 ment of the siU business, and for the polite attentions I received 

 from them during a visit of two or three days to their city. E!D, 



