18 



It deserves tlie notice of husbandmen, also, that the 

 whole business may be done in sixty days ; principally, 

 in the months of May and June ; Avhen labor on a farm 

 is not so much needed ; and by women and children. 

 The fabric surely not of less value, because wrought 

 by fairer hands. 



Experience has not yet taught this country, the net 

 produce of one acre. It has been estimated from two 

 to twelve hundred dollars. If the less of these ex- 

 tremes be considered as the more correct sum ; even 

 in this case, a profit is yielded, far greater than that aris- 

 ing from the culture of any other article known in the 

 United States. It offers immense wealth to New Ens:- 

 land industry ; and seems one of the choicest gifts of 

 Providence to this highly favored land. 



That an insect so minute ; emerging from an egg^ of 

 the size of a pin's head ; should wind, Jrom itself^ a 

 thread of so great length ; of the finest, richest, and 

 most delicate fabric ; in one month, arriving at ma- 

 turity, and finishing its work ; encircling itself with the 

 web so nicely wound, as with its shroud ; is one of the 

 mysteries of Nature ; presenting, as it does, the riches 

 of a world, in the compass of a nutshell. 



I am now to consider — 



II. The character of good husbandmen ; connected 

 with their social^ civil, and moral duties. 



1. A good husbandman will value his time. Time 

 is the highest gift of God. We are never to waste or 

 misspend it. It is not our own. The man, who com- 

 mits suicide, is justly pronounced a violator of the Di- 

 vine Law ; while he, who wastes his time in idleness, 

 is thought guiltless. The cases are, nevertheless, par- 

 allel; differing, in degree, only. The one goes into the 



