234 [Senate 



4th. I feed two varieties of worms, which are with us called the 

 small peanut, and the large peanut. It appears to me that the 

 large is the healthier worm, but I prefer the small peanut, because 

 that kind gives from 20 to 22 ounces of silk per bushel cocoons, and 

 large only 16 to 18 ounces per bushel j and it appears to me that the 

 large kind consume as much leaf to raise a bushel cocoons is the 

 small will require, and give four ounces more silk. 



5th. I use the multicaulis — planted 3^ acres, in the same manner 

 that corn is planted, two years last spring, and they grovtr finely. I 

 keep the grass out by working between the rows several times through 

 the summer, with a cultivator. 



6th. Among my acquaintances engaged in the business, there is 

 much complaint that they can raise tie worms and keep them healthy 

 until a few days before spinning ; then they turn yellow and die — 

 and that they can't find out the cause of that ; even if they clean the 

 shelves every day, it matters nothing, they will die. My experience 

 in the business is limited, but I believe the cause is the irregular tem- 

 perature in the cocoonery in the last age; but I hope some older cul- 

 turist will explain that subject in the convention, for the information 

 of the young beginners. I wish good success to the convention — 

 hope they will bring much useful knowledge of the business among 

 the silk growers. 



N. B. — Please excuse me for undertaking to write to you, being 

 such a poor English scholar; but it is my wish, good success to the 

 business. I am inventing a cheap machine for making sewing silk. 

 I have tried it, and it appears it will work, and make as good sew- 

 ing silk as any other, and will not cost much ; so that any small silk 

 culturist can get one, and make his own sewing silk. 



Caleb Palmer, Le. Roy, JV. Y. — (1.) I have fed two years — 

 first year, IJ bushels; second year, 2^. 



(2.) Use a common room, temperature not regulated. 

 (3.) Never fed in a shed or tent. 

 (5.) Multicaulis — let them stand and cultivate them. 

 (6.) Prefer early feeding. 



Ryland E. Jones, Le Roy, JV. F.— (1.) I have fed two years- 

 first year, 3 bushels of good cocoons ; second year, ]^. 



(2.) Use a room in the attic — temperature not regulated. 



(3.) Never fed in a shed or tent. 



(4.) The two-crop worm. 



(5.) Multicaulis and white — let them stand out, and cultivate 

 them. 



(6.) Early feeding, about June. 



