199 fSKNAlX 



ing my worms to maturity — but few were diseased — I had 38 lbs, 

 cocoons. Encouraged by this, and finding I could reel them, I made 

 preparation for a more extended crop in 1842, and though my second 

 crop was not so promising as I had anticipated, still 1 pre})are(i for 

 two crops again, and in June, 1842, brought forward my first crop, 

 which hatched the 14th day. 1 then brought out my second crop,^ 

 which hatched in four days — thus my first and second crops were 

 nearly together. I succeeded very well with them till they were 

 about two-thirds grown, when it commenced rainy weather, which 

 continued without much cessation for several weeks. Notwithstand- 

 ing this, by the use of air-slaked lime, and through perseveiing effort, 

 they were carried through, but it was very eviifent they suffered se- 

 verely. I had 119 lbs. cocoons. I had the first and second crops sO' 

 near together as to interfere materially; the latter, however, were 

 far inferior to the first. Eggs saved as before, and the past season,. 

 1843, has been much more favorable, though in consequence of the 

 drought the leaves were small. Still the worms were healthy, and 

 the cocoons sound. The first crop was brought out several days 

 sooner, and the second did not interfere with the first. Both fami- 

 lies of worms did well, but the early crop was far superior to the 

 other. The last crop hatched 4th of July, and 'vound in six weeks. 

 I did not feed at night, but regularly in the day time. 



2. I fed in my house and barn, and the temperature was regulated 

 in no way, except by opening the doors and windows, as the case 

 seemed to require. 



3. I have not fed in an open shed or tent. 



4. I have tried several kinds of silk-worm and give a preference to 

 the small white peanut, principally because I have observed it to 

 wind oft' much easier than any of the others. 



5. I have about two acres of trees, one of white and one of multi- 

 caulis and a few hundred Alpines. They are rather carelessly ma- 

 naged at present. 



6lh question is partially answered above. I fed some as late as 

 September .^nd October, but though they were fed night and day, 

 they were nearly eight weeks before coming to the conclusion to stop 

 eating, 



7. The cause of bad success in feeding in this neighborhood, may 

 principally be traced to want of cleanliness, huddling too many to- 

 gether, and irregularity in feeding. I once injured my own crop by 

 suddenly changing from the multicaulis to the wild mulberry leaf, 

 when they had fasted for some hours. In regard to the other ques- 

 tions, my experience is quite limited. The past season 1 had 103 

 lbs. of cocoons. My help consisted principally of small boys and 

 girls, who gathered leaves and fed the worms — the expen-e wasnext 

 to nothing. In manufacturing the cocoons into sewing silk we have 

 not hired any help. I made my own reels, and with my wife's as- 

 sistance, we liave reeled, spooled, doubleil and twisted, and skeined, 

 colored, and finished, and sold tlie past season, and received to the 

 amount 01 $113.50. The expense of our reel and spools, and skein- 

 ing, I suppose might be $3, having made them principally myself, 



