No. 124.] 293 



lOih. As you invite sngsrestions on the subject generally, you will 

 excuse me if 1 presume to offer one, wliich strikes me as being very 

 pernicious to the well-being and final success of this interesting little 

 animal. I refer most particularly to noises of any kind in the cocoone- 

 ry; and at any time, but more particularly at the time of mouliing. 

 The sound of a hammer, a sudden burst of laughter, or even loud 

 talking, disturbs them. Their food also is often thrown on them, in- 

 stead of being laid down gently by them. Anything which cau>e3 

 them to start, and more particulaily in their torpid state, must of 

 course derange the order and process of nature, &c. <fcc. The niinu- 

 tiaj of their brief existence cannot be entered into here. I will only 

 say, that I learned the feeding process from Italians, and that as much 

 caution was observed in entering the building, and approaching the 

 worms, as we use in visiting the cradle of a sick infant at the crisis 

 of some dangerous disease. 



In the manufacturing department I can say but little; but, as drops 

 of water form the ocean, so my mite may assist in swelling the mass 

 of information you may wish to compile. 



1st. In 1S24, I spun on a flax wheel, from the pierced cocoons, 

 a sufficient quantity to make several pair of stockings, gloves, &c. 

 One pair of the stockings I yet have, which at that time created 

 quite a sensation. I have been more or less engaged in it ever since, 

 as time or circumstances would permit, but only for amusement ; 

 never as a business till the year 1841. In 1840, I was awarded a 

 silver medal by tLc Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, for reeled silk, 

 with which I had amused myself in my private room, without the 

 remotest thought at the tiine^ that it would ever meet the public eye. 



2(1. My manufacture has been confined thus far to sewings, sad- 

 dler's floss, stockings, and broad silks. 



3d. In the past two years and two months, I have reeled 483 lbs. 

 of raw silk, made 336 lbs. of sewings, &c., about two dozen pairs 

 of stockings, and 110 yards of broad silk, both plain and twilled, 

 ior dresses. I have clad myself in a suit of domestic silk, from head 

 to foot, entire, every article of which has been reeled in my filature. 

 I also received the award of a second silver medal from the Franklin 

 Institute, at their last exhibition, for my sewing silk, which, together 

 with a less quantity of raw silk, I furnished them, amounted to 

 94 lbs. 



4lh. As to capital invested, please ^Q.Q.e\ii the truth, which, is easier 

 told than a fabrication. I rented the building I now occupy, bor- 

 rowed my machinery, which was sent me fiee of cost, and rom- 

 mmced business without a dollar. Wlien the cocoons wliich offered 

 were reeled, I took as my fee a portion of the silk, made the whole 

 up into sewings, &c., for which I have found ready sale, and paid 

 over to the owners the highest market price for their portion. The 

 first year I paid $5.50 per lb., last year $5, but this year I am in a 

 fair way of having little to buy or sell. 



5th. I employ two hands to each reel, one yonng woman and one 

 child, all females ; sometimes supernumeraries to the number of ten 

 and twelve. 



