410 



FARMERS' REGISTER— CULTURE OF SILK- 



some less troublesome modes. Dr. Noah Webster 

 has recommended that they shou'd be jnit down 

 between layers of sand that has been dried by tlic 

 heat of the summer. This is, without doubt, an ex- 

 cellent mode, as it excludes the air, and absorbs the 

 moisture, and must be useful when apples are sliip- 

 ped to a warm climate. But apples thus preserved 

 are liable to imbibe an earthy taste. 



Chopped straw has also been highly recommend- 

 ed to be placed between layers of fruit ; but I have 

 noticed that the straw, from the perspiration it im- 

 bibes, becomes musty, and may do more hurt tlian 

 good. When apples are to be exported, it has been 

 recommended that each be separately wrapped in 

 coarse paper, in the manner oranges and lemons are 

 put up. This is, Avithout doubt, an excellent mode. 

 And Mr. Loudon has recommended that apples 

 destined for Europe should be packed between 

 layers of grain. 



Great quantities of winter fruit are raised in the 

 vicinity of Boston, and put up for the winter use, 

 for the market and for exportation. The following 

 is the mode almost universally adopted by the most 

 experienced. And by this mode the apples, under 

 very favorable circumstances, are frequently pre- 

 served in a sound state, or not one in fifty defective, 

 for a period of seven or eight months. The fruit 

 is suffered to hang on the tree to as late a period as 

 possible in October, or till hard frosts have loosen- 

 ed the stalk, and they are in danger of being blown 

 by high winds; such as have already fallen are 

 carefully gathered and inspected, and the best are 

 put up for early winter use. They are carefully 

 gathered from the tree by hand, and as carefully 

 laid in baskets. New, tight, well seasoned flour 

 barrels from the baker's, are usually preferred; 

 the barrels being quite filled are gently shaken, 

 and the head is gently pre.ssed down to its place 

 and secured. It is observed that this pressure 

 never causes them to rot next the head, and is ne- 

 cessary, as they are never allowed to rattle in mov- 

 ing. No soft straw or shavings are admitted at 

 the ends ; it causes mustiness and decay. They 

 are next carefully placed in wagons and removed 

 on the bulge, and laid in courses in a cool airy situ- 

 ation, on the north side of a building, near the cel- 

 lar, protected by a covering on the top of boards, 

 so placed as to defend them from the sun and rain, 

 while the air is not excluded at the sides. A chill 

 does not injure them ; it is no disservice ; but 

 when extreme cold weather comes on, and they 

 are in imminent danger of being frozen, whether 

 by night or by day, they are carefully rolled into 

 a cool, airy, dry cellar, with an opening on the 

 north side, that the cold air may have free access — 

 they are laid in tiers, and the cellar is in due time 

 closed, and rendered secure from frost. The bar- 

 rels are never tumbled or placed on the head. Ap- 

 ples keep best when grown in dry seasons and on 

 dry soils. If fruit is gathered late, and according 

 to the above directions, repacking is unnecessary ; 

 it is even ruinous, and should on no account be 

 practised, till the barrel is opened for use. It has 

 been fully tried. 



CULTURE OP SILK. 



From the New-Hampshire Spectator. 



The culture of silk has of late been suggested 

 to the American people as affording a prospect of 

 reward to the cultivator of the New England or 



the Eastern States. If yoii think the following 

 experiment worth an insertion in your paper, you 

 may oblige some who wish for more information 

 on this subject. I have made an experiment per- 

 sonally, and can attest the truth of every item that 

 I communicate, for I have kept an exact diary of 

 the whole experiment, and the result. I may be 

 permitted to say in the outset, that I never have 

 had an opportunity of attending any silk worm es- 

 tablishment, and all the previous knowledge I have 

 ever had, before commencing the experiment, v^as 

 in 1831. I saw one silk worm in the action of 

 winding, and one other on the shelf, nearly ready 

 to ascend the buskw; to winter; and in 1832, one 

 or two hundred aWut ten days old, reared by those 

 who had no previous opportunity of seeing the de- 

 velopment of the silk worm, and were as unlearn- 

 ed as myself This fact is only hinted at to prove 

 that any person may, by diligent care, raise silk, if 

 they never were acquainted with the art; yet, to 

 make it profitable in the end, as in every other spe- 

 cies of cultivation, a complete knowledge of the 

 subject is undoubtedly necessary. 



On the 20th June last past, my eggs were hatch- 

 ed. I counted out 1500, and a few more to supply 

 the place of those that should die in the several 

 stages, say from 50 to 100. These were uncount- 

 ed. My calculation was to raise about 1500. By 

 reason of the cold and rainy summer, the worms 

 were retarded in their growth, as will always hap- 

 pen — warm and dry weather being the climate 

 suited to the full perfection of the worm, and faci- 

 litates its growth and maturity; yet, the food in 

 either case, will be about the same — the only dif- 

 ference will be the length of time required for the 

 insect to eat the same quantity of leaves. The first 

 cocoon was wound on the 38th day of the age of 

 the silk worm. After the fourth moulting, or in 

 other words, shedding of their skin — for they skin 

 four times during their life before they commence 

 winding their balls or cocoons — they are usually 

 about ten days in winding up their cocoons. Pre- 

 vious to their moulting the fourth time, I counted 

 about 1450 ; so that 50 had died out of the 1500, 

 besides the worms I held in reserve above stated. 

 Of these 1450 worms, beside those that died 

 during this last age of the worm, and during their 

 winding,! counted 912 that remained on the shelves 

 on the 40tli day— 585 on the 42d day— 303 on the 

 43d day— 186 on the 44th day— 90 on the 45th 

 day — 43 on the 46th day — 26 on the 47th day — 13 

 on the 48th day. In ten days from the beginning 

 of winding, all had wound their cocoons, except 

 13 worms. In four days more, these Avere all 

 wound. The whole time the silk worms were pro- 

 gressing through their several ages, each age de- 

 signated by their moulting, including the winding, 

 was 53 days — the usual time is from 42 to 45 days — 

 retarded no doubt from the cold and dampness of 

 the season. There died in the whole 257, during 

 the several ages, till the completion of the cocoons. 

 I had 1243 cocoons of all descriptions, and but few, 

 say 15, that would not reel off. The reserved un- 

 counted worms are not included in this estimate. 



The weight of cocoons before reeling, and as 

 soon as they were picked from the bushes, weigh- 

 ed 4 lbs. 5 oz. 20 cocoons weighed precisely 1 oz. 

 Raw reeled silk, 6^ ounces. 



Raw silk, l| ounce. 



Making the whole product of silk nearly one 

 half pound. 



