No. 124.] 251 



the cocoonery did the best in our crop. Sweet, pure air is necessary, 

 and must be obtained by ventilation if necessary; but dryness and 

 heat are manifestly the most efficient means of securing healthiness, 

 speedy growth, and desirable fruitfulness to the silk-worm. It is 

 often necessary to elevate, but never to depress the temperature, 

 while all impurities are carefully excluded from the atmosphere. 



Francis Moor, Putney^ Vt.^ says, — I commenced growing silk as 

 a business several years since, having a slender constitution and poor 

 health. The tree speculation came. To better my circumstances, I 

 engaged in it, and lost what little I had. Still I have kept doing 

 something at growing silk ; have about three acres of trees, multi- 

 caulis. Cantons, Asiatics and Alpines. I have fed early and late, 

 used the different kinds of worms, and kept eggs in all the different 

 ways, and fed in close and open buildings. I prefer early feeding, 

 though sometimes make good crops late. As a system for general 

 adoption, open feeding is safest. Trees ought not to be so thick as 

 to prevent the sun from reaching the leaves, and the air to circulate 

 freely among them. In 1840, I made 121 lbs., 5 oz.; 1841, 494 

 lbs.; 1842, 161 lbs., 4 oz.; 1843, 108 lbs., 5 oz. 



Moses E. Guild, South Dedham, Mass. — I received your Silk 

 Circular per mail, dated August 28, and am exceedingly happy to 

 learn that measures are to be taken in behalf of this important branch 

 of agriculture. It not being possible for me to attend the conven- 

 tion, will communicate by mail what little information I may be 

 master of. 



Have fed worms two years, the results have been unfavorable owing 

 to inexperience. This year lost most of ray worms by over-stocking 

 my trees. Fed in a perfectly open building, giving the worms a 

 thorough ventilation in all sorts of weather. They did extraordi- 

 narily well until my foliage failed. I prefer the large sulphur and 

 peanut worms. Use the multicaulis, Broosa and Alpine; raised them 

 from the slip; have paid no particular attention to them otherwise 

 than hoeing. Winter kills the tops of the multicaulis, but they sprout 

 from the roots readily in the spring. 



Feed on bundles and cut the branches, it being much more expedi- 

 tious than plucking the leaves, and seems to be more in accordance 

 w^ith the nature of the worms, as they invariably (when healthy,) 

 after eating, crawl to the stock of the branch to rest. Prefer early 

 feeding for a number of reasons: 1st. It is natural for the worms to 

 hatch in June. 2d. The weather and temperature in general is fine, 

 and more conducive to the health of the worm. 3d. The second 

 crop of leaves (which generally constitutes the chief part of the fod- 

 der for the last feeding,) have not those good qualities requisite for 

 the prosperity of the worm, that are possessed by the first growth of 

 leaves. The cau=e of bad success in feeding, which has come under 

 my observation among my acquaintances, is simply this: It being 

 associated with everything else on farms, the attention which the 



