No. 124.] 291 



an acre yearly rent, and as he wanted them removed, in the spring 

 of 1843 I ploughed up about half of them, and sold them to individ- 

 uals in a neighboring county, who were commencing the busi- 

 ness. Of course I was cut short in my supi)ly of feed, and conclud- 

 ed to feed a less number until I could increase my supply of leaves 

 again. I commenced the 22d of June ; hatched about six or seven 

 ounces of eggs, one and a half ounces of the mammoth peanut, three 

 do. of sulphur colored, and two do. of the common peanut. The last 

 mentioned I think must have been poor eggs ; they did not hatch 

 well, nor grow well, nor wind well. They never half paid for their 

 keeping ; but the other two lots did well. From the four and a half 

 ounces I had about 250 pounds of good cocoons. They were fed mostly 

 on multicaulis and Canton leaves, except a part of them the last week 

 were put upon the white mulberry, as I had but one acre of multi- 

 caulis and Canton to depend upon. I had to buy about 1,000 pounds 

 of leaves. I found no bad effects produced by changing from one 

 kind of feed to another, neither could I discover any difference in the 

 silk. 



I think I derived great advantage this year by adopting the open 

 feeding system, so far as I could, in my cocoonery, which is an aiiy 

 place, and well supplied with large doors and windows on every 

 side. I opened them all^ and kept them open day and night, except 

 in a very few instances, in extreme weather, or high winds, they 

 were partly closed. I used no artificial heat, but let the worms take 

 the weather as it came, the thermometer varying from below 50^ to 

 upwards of 80° ; still the worms were very healthy, and wound up 

 well at last. We had 300 pounds of cocoons, and 1 think we shall 

 have nearly 25 pounds of raw silk, besides savinc; 15 ounces of eggs. 



The expense of producing the silk this year has been compara- 

 tively small, the most of it being done in my own faniily. I paid 

 about $13 for leaves and hired help. I fed but one crop this year, 

 and I think, as a general thing, early feeding is to be preferred ; al- 

 though in 1840 my last crop was the best. And now, in conclusion, 

 I would say, that in view of the general results of my efforts in the 

 business for several years past, it is my candid opinion that the silk 

 business, if wisely managed, can be prosecuted with as little risk, and 

 as great, and I think, greater profit, than the raising of corn, 

 rye, butter or cheese, wool or flax, or any of the common produc- 

 tions of the farm. 



I have been doing a little at manufacturing sewing silk this year in 

 my family. I procured a machine for iwi^rting it last winter, which is 

 worked by hand labor, and we have, at odd spells, twisted about twenty 

 pound?, which is called a good article, and sells very readily at eight 

 dollars the pound. I purpose to exhibit a sample at the Fair, both of 

 raw silk and sewings. 



Charles B. Crafts, Woodbury, Conn. — 1. I have fed in a small 

 way for three years, and my success not very good. 



2. I use a large machine-shop. It is well situated for a free circula- 

 tion of the air. Teo^perature not regulated. 



