No. 124.] 173 



In the growth of silk we have an article providentially adapted to 

 all our varied soils and latitudes, well calculated to counteract sec- 

 tional selfishness, and to produce a harmonious moral influence^ and 

 the vent for it in the markets of the world will exceed our abilities 

 to produce for centuries to come. Let us, if the silk culture and 

 manufacture are feasible, and can be made to remunerate, advance at 

 once to the point required. And how can this be better ascertained 

 than by a collection of facts, by means of the coming exhibition and 

 convention 1 



We are happy to know that the New-England Silk Convention is 

 appointed to meet at Northampton, Massachusetts, October 4th, and we 

 would respectfully suggest to the friends of this cause in Ohio, Ken- 

 tucky, Tennessee, and other States, that they hold county and other 

 local conventions, at the same time, or previously ; and collect all the 

 facts possible, and forward them to be embodied in the general report. 



We earnestly urge, that every silk-grower and manufacturer fur- 

 nish a written statement, as desired. If you cannot attend the conven- 

 tion, send by mail. Do not decline because your operations are small, 

 or because you may not be accustomed to writing ; small experiments, 

 as well as large ones, rightly conducted, settle general principles; 

 and any errors in writing which we may discover, the convention will 

 correct : only give the facts. 



•To aid our correspondents, we present two series of questions to be 

 answered. If you are a silk grower, we ask as follows : 



1. How long have you fed w^orms '] and what have been the general 

 results each year ? 



2. What kind of a building do you use? and how is the tempera- 

 ture regulated, if regulated at all 1 



3. Have you ever fed in an open shed or tentl If so, state the re- 

 sults. 



4. What variety of silk-worm do you prefer? 



5. What kind of trees do you use, and how do you inanage them 1 



6. Have you tested, and found any difference, between early and late 

 feeding? 



7. Can you state the cause or causes of bad success in feeding, in 

 any case or cases, among your acquaintances engaged in the business ? 



8. Have you tested the use of the mulberry leaf, in its green or dry 

 state, for paper ? If not, will you do it this season, and communicate to 

 us the results ? 



9. Have you tried any process, by water or dew- rotting, to separate 

 the bark of the 3'Oung mulberry shoots from the woody fibres, so as to 

 convert it into paper or silk fabrics ? If not, will you do it the present 

 season, and communicate as above ? 



10. Any other information on any part of the silk culture, or any sug- 

 gestions on the general subject, will be thankfully received. 



If you are a manufacturer, please answer as follows : 



1. How long have you been engaged in manufacturing silk ? 



2. What varieties of silk gocds do you manufacture? 



3. What amount of raw silk do you work up annually ? 



4. What amount of capital have you invested in the business ? 



