98 SILK. 







SILK. This is the ultimate product of the silk worm, and the pri- 

 mary product of the mulberry tree, and one of the most important arti- 

 cles of clothing known in society. It has been classed with agricul- 

 tural subjects and vegetable productions; a comprehensive view of it 

 therefore appropriately occurs in this place. 



The name is from Sericum, Seres, the supposed ancient name of the 

 Chinese. The thread is spun by various species of caterpillars or 

 larvae, of the phalsena genus, of which the Phalcena jittas produces the 

 greatest amount, though the Phal&na Bambyx is the species common- 

 ly employed. In its first, or caterpillar state, after acquiring 2 or 3 

 inches in length, it encloses itself in an oval case, or cocoon, formed 

 of fine yellow silk filaments from 30 to 35 feet in length. This is 

 ejected from its stomach in its insect state, prior to its taking the crys- 

 alis form. After freeing itself from its silken case, it seeks its mate, 

 which has undergone the same process, and in 2 or 3 days the female 

 deposits from 300 to 500 eggs, when the existence of both is termin- 

 ated. 



An improvement has recently been adopted by J. W. Gill, Esq., of 

 Ohio, which, as he states in a late communication, Curtails expenses 

 about one half, and more than doubles the quality and quantity of co- 

 coons raised over the most improved method heretofore practised." The 

 name of this improvement is " Gill's Patent Feeding Tent and Silk 

 Worm Ventilating Cradle." This," Mr. G. says, I fully believe 

 will work as complete a revolution in the growing of silk as the disco- 

 very of the Gin did in that of cotton." The object of the instrument 

 is to remove all impure air about the worms and among the mulberry 

 branches, and also all dry leaves and impurities by the motion of the 

 cradle and its appendages ; which motion, he rationally infers, is agree- 

 able to the worms, it being like that of the branches on which they 

 feed in a state of nature. The representations of this gentleman are 

 said to be entitled to implicit confiden.ee. He is one of the largest 

 silk growers in the U. S., having some forty acres of trees, and being 

 largely engaged in the manufacture of silk. The prevailing practice 

 has been, here, to feed in enclosures, but this and other facts prove 

 that open feeding and ventillation are essential to the health and pro- 

 ductive labors of the worm. 20,000 worms are said to throw off 50 Ibs. 

 of impure matter every 24 hours, hence the necessity of ventillation. 

 Hot and sultry weather are said also to be more prejudicial than cold 

 weather. 



The Cocoons are collected 7 or 8 days after the worm has enclosed 

 itself, heated in an oven by steam, to destroy the life of the worm, 

 and being then immersed in hot water, to soften the gum, the raw 

 silk is brushed up and reeled off, forming one smooth thread of nume- 

 rous filaments. The thread from each cocoon is from 900 to 1800 feet 

 long. When dry, this is taken from the reel and made into hanks. 



