3^0. 124.] 231 



ing with 3 as those that are not cut will produce leaves earlier in the 

 season than those that are. 



Have tried early and late crops, and have uniformly had the most 

 healthy worms and heaviest cocoons from the earliest crops. 



Convert ray cocoons into sewing silk ; pierced cocoons and floss 

 into hose, &c. 



Have made no experiments that enable me to answer your ques- 

 tions relating to the use of the leaf or bark. I believe that success 

 will attend the labors of those who persevere in the culture of silk. 



P. S. Two of my neighbors have lost almost their whole crop of 

 worms, which I am convinced was caused by heat and pent air. 



James Morgan, Freedom^ Carroll Co., Md. — I have fed a few 

 worms each of the last four years, but have had but indifferent suc- 

 cess, in consequence of having my feeding house situated too low, it 

 being a saw-mill, 36 by 12 feet, surrounded with water, being also 

 in a very large valley. Have never fed in an open shed or tent, but 

 intend doing so next year. Have fed peanut and sulphur, but pre- 

 fer the peanut. Have none but multicaulis trees — about 6.000 

 standing about five feet by two ; intend planting one acre more of 

 new land in the spring. I let them stand as they grow ; plough 

 them twice during the summer. Have raised eight bushels of co- 

 coons this season ; the first crop much the healthiest, though I lost 

 all my first leaves by the frost on the 1st of June. I am confident 

 that my bad success is in consequence of the situation of cocoonery, 

 as stated above. Have not tested either the 8th or the 9th questions 

 of your first series, and it is noAv too late to do so in time for your 

 convention. I shall try the Sth, as I am a paper manufacturer. 



From what I have done in the business, I am satisfied that it will be 

 a profitable business, and atn making preparations for building a cocoon- 

 ery on a high and airy station, for feeding next summer, 



I have one acre of new ground, which I intend to plant with multi- 

 caulis roots next spring. You request me in your letter to send you all 

 the facts I can get relating to feeding. I know of none in this county, 

 out of the many who entered into the tree speculation, who are feedirig 

 worms ; but they are gone off, as you said in your letter, in smoke. 

 There were many of them in this county, not one of whom are doing 

 anything in the silk business. I am alone in Carroll county. In 

 Frederick county Mr. .Tenks and Mr. Ramsburgh are feeding in (he 

 State barracks. I was there this spring at the commencement of the 

 feeding season. I have not seen them since, but have heard that they 

 made superior cocoons this season ; better than they ever made be- 

 fore. In 1840, 2"^2 of their cocoons, as they came from the shelves 

 weighed one pound. They feed with the white mulberry, in an en- 

 closed building. 



James Walker, Fryehurg Island, Me.— Am much pleased with 

 your plan for collecting facts in regard to the silk culture. I have had 

 many diflfiicuUies to overcome, there being no one near me to give any 



