212 [Senat* 



worms jammed into the spare rooms of a common dwelling ! ! No 

 wonder they all died. — J. R. B. j 



I have tried the two crop worm, but prefer the other kinds. 

 ^Prefer early hatching and feeding — it is the dictate of nature. [We 

 trust our friend will hereafter follow nature in the matter of ventila- 

 tion also. — J. 11. B.J I have had my silk manufactured, and have a 

 full suit for my own wear. From all 1 can hear and know, I have full 

 confidence in the complete success of the silk business ultimately;, 

 and that not remotely. 



N. D. Smith, Washirtaton^ Ark. — Having this day received^ 

 through some unknown fricnti, your silk circular, I hasten to despatch 

 a biief answer to your queries : 



1. In 1S32, '33, and '34, small lots of worms were fed by us on 

 leaves of the native mulberry, by way of experiment and amusementj 

 good cocoons, and no disease. In 1840, 4,000 worms, peanut and 

 sulphur — good cocoons and no disease. In 1841, 200,000 wormsy 

 fed partly on multicaulis, white Italian, and native — three-fourths 

 destroyed by disease, and but 20 bushels of cocoons. In 1842^ 

 50,000 fed on multicaulis — three- fourths lost by disease — 8 bushels 

 of cocoons. In 1843, 50,000 worms — no disease — 15 bushels re- 

 markably fine cocoons. 



2. The largest portions of the worms were itti^ especially in the 

 last stages, in shed rooms., exposed to all the vicissitudes of the wea- 

 ther, scarcely protected from the wind and rain. The diseases 

 always appeared immediately after a cold rain storm, at the com- 

 mencement of spinning, during which the worms were chilled, and 

 refused to eat — sufficient space and ample food were always provi- 

 ded, and much attention to cleanliness. The only good cocoons 

 raised in the seasons of disease, vrere in a room made comfortable by 

 fire during the cold. The crop of 1843, was raised in the same man- 

 ner as the others, but had been kept back from hatching a month 

 later than the others, by means of a supply of snow and ice obtained 

 in March, which our previous winters had not furnished us. The 

 worms consequently enjoyed a milder temperature, and better food. 

 They also received a heavy sprinkling of air-slaked limeye\cry morn- 

 ing after their third moulting. 



4. I prefer the peanut, as being more hardy, and maturing in a 

 shorter time, and it reels more easily. 



5. We have the small leavetl white Italian multicaulis, and native 

 mulberry. We should prefer the Italian, but for the greater labor in 

 gathering leaves. The mulberry ground is ploughed and harrowed 

 in the spiing, and the trees should be close trimmed before they 

 sprout. 



6. Worms kept back from batching until mild weather becomes 

 settled, and the leaves fully grown, are attended with much less la- 

 bor, and make better cocoons. The best we ever made, were spun 

 up when the thermometer ranged between 70° and 90'^. 



