No. 124.] 223 



the black mulberry leaves, and they were so coarse and tough, that 

 most of the worms died, and I raised only 75 lbs. of cocoons this 

 year. I have fed principally on multicaulis, but for experiment, have 

 fed 2 or 3,000 each, after the fourth moulting, on branches of the 

 multicaulis and white mulberry, and could see liO particular differ- 

 ence in the quantity or quality of the cocoons. I have fed a few of 

 ■the sulphur variety of worms, but mostly peanut, and prefer, as far 

 as my experience goes, the Nankin peanut. Think the business 

 will yield a fair compensation for labor. 



P. S, — I have a cocoonery with a stove, and regulate the tempera- 

 ture according to judgment, by fire, ventilation, &c. 



Clark Avery, Perryville, Mndison Co., JY. F. — I tfhall make ray 

 report by replying to your questions in order, and as they are in the 

 Silk Circular. 



1. I have fed worms four years. The first year fed a few only. 

 The second year raised 98 lbs. of cocoons — good success. Third 

 year, raised 66 lbs. cocoons — did poorly, my eggs were not properly 

 taken care of, commenced hatching prematurely, in March, and hence 

 my crop of worms was small and of an inferior quality. 



2. I feed in a cocoonery, and regulate the temperature by a stove 

 and ventilation, according to thedictates of judgment. 



3. I have not fed in an open shed or tent. 



4. I have generally fed the sulphur, but from a little experience 

 this year, I prefer the peanut. 



5. Multicaulis chiefly. I cut them off some five or six inches 

 from the ground, in the fall annually, and plough and hoe them as 

 farmers usually do corn. 



6. Early feeding, according to my experience, is much better than 

 late. 



7. As to " bad success in feeding," 1 can say nothing but what is 

 found in the accompanying reports. 



8. I have not tested the use of mulberry for paper, and cannot 

 this year. 



6. Have not tried any process of rotting in order to separate the 

 bark of the young mulberry from the woody fibre so as to convert it 

 into paper or silk fabric, and cannot do so this season. 



Most certainly there are difficulties to be met in the cultivation of 

 silk, but doubtless care and experience will enable us to overcome 

 them, and silk will, by and by, become one of the staple productions 

 of our country, and the culture and manufacture of it amply repay 

 the industrious for their investments and labor. 



David Irish, Perryville, Madison , Co. , JV. F. — 1. Have fed 

 worms three years with uniform good success. First year, a few — 

 second year 50 lbs., this year 130 lbs. cocoons. 



2 and 3. I use a wagon-house, and also an open shed, and the 

 worms do equally well in both. Use no artificial heat — temperature 

 is not regulated at all. 



