No. 85.J 611 



tal of $] jOOO, and have since added $200 more, making $1,200. We 

 have now about ten acres of trees, (multicaulis.) Previous to 1S44 

 we have made about 1,900 pounds of cocoons. This year we have 

 made 375 pounds, at an actual cost of $150, and the cocoons are not 

 worth in market over $112. Thus, it will be seen, that the cost of 

 raising actually exceeds the value by $38. In 1842 we made 939 

 from less than five acres of ground, and with less expense than we 

 have incurred this season. 



Our worms have been unhealthy this year, and we know not what 

 to attribute it to, as we have raised them in the same place, and have 

 treated them as well as we know how with our increased experience; 

 and yet we have not raised more than one-fifth of our worms to ma- 

 turity. They have died some at all their moultings, but particularly 

 when they had done eating, they would lie still upon the shelves and 

 die. Some look perfectly natural, while others turn a dark green or 

 almost black — while a small proportion had the yellows. We used 

 lime plentifully, but tried others without, and could see no great dif- 

 ference. They had the freest ventilation, both day and night. 



We have been thus particular, in order to elicit information from 

 attendants at the convention. We should also like to procure a few 

 ounces of eggs from a perfectly healthy stock, and would thank any 

 gentleman who has them to spare, or knows who has, to give us infor- 

 mation where we can procure them ; as far as we can learn, all in 

 our vicinity have had similar success, or rather failures. The busi- 

 ness was increasing amongst us, quite a number having gone into it the 

 present season on a respectable scale, some planting out from two to four 

 acres of trees. I fear they will become dissatisfied unless there has been 

 better success in other parts of the country. For ourselves, we are some- 

 what cast down, but not discouraged, and intend to persevere in our 

 exertions to demonstrate that silk can be successfully raised in this as 

 well as in other countries. We think our failure in the silk cause 

 should be attributed to some peculiarity of the season, rather than to 

 any defect in the climate generally. 



(We cannot say what may be the true cause of this " mishap." We 

 have seen cases apparently the same, and did not hesitate to attribute 

 it to one or both of the following evils, viz : First, to the proo-ress 

 of the eggs towards the hatching point, where it was too cold to ad- 

 mit of their natural hatching, and not cold enough to keep them per- 

 fectly dormant. We have no doubt this is frequently the cause of dis- 

 ease. They should not be exposed for a moment to any atmosphere 

 less cold than that which will preserve ice ; and care should be taken 

 to have them placed in such an atmosphere before there is any possi- 

 bility of the commencement of the incipient process. 



The other evil to which we allude was that of feeding on tight sur- 

 faces ; for, however well the cocoonery may be ventilated, the worms 

 cannot be sufficiently exposed to the air if on tight surfaces. These 

 are suggestions which may not be applicable to this case ; but they 

 are certainly of great weight, and entitled to an investigation by friend 

 B. & Sons. They have been doing too well, and have induced too 

 many others to enter upon the work, now to become disheartened and 

 fail." A. C. V. E.) 



