REELING AND MANUFACTURING SILK. 89 



producing 7,500 pounds of cocoons. At twenty-five cents per 

 pound, these cocoons would sell for 1,875 dollars. In Mansfield, 

 (Conn.) where from three to four tons of silk ai'e made annual- 

 ly, it is said that the farmers " consider the amount received for 

 their sewing silk as so much clear gain, as the business does not 

 interfere with the regular farm work of the men or the domestic 

 duties of the females upon whom, with the aged and youthful 

 members of the family, the care of the worms and the making 

 of sewing silk chiefly devolves." Those farmers whose families 

 contain no youthful or aged members, or females without full 

 employment, should not be deterred from planting mulberry 

 trees, as we trust there will soon be in every town and parish, 

 establishments where all the leaves raised in the vicinity will 

 find a ready market at a cent per pound ; and while the trees 

 are growing, perhaps sons and daughters may spring up to bless 

 their provident parents ; orphan or indigent relatives may find 

 beneath their hospitable roofs a home, and even the now robust 

 and athletic may possibly become infirm and old, when the rear- 

 ing of silk worms might perhaps afford them just such employ- 

 ment as they may most need, either for recreation or support. 



REELING AND MANUFACTURING SILK. 



" Those who do not choose to proceed any farther in the silk 

 business than to raise the cocoons," says Cobb, " may realize a 

 reward for their industry by selling the silk in that shape. There 

 is no doubt but there will soon be established throughout the 

 United States a regular market price for the article. But as 

 raw, that is, reeled silk, is the shape in which the article must be 

 sent to foreign manufacturers, if exported, and in which it meets 

 with a cash market in almost every part of Europe, and in many 

 parts of our own country, it becomes of great importance that 

 we should reel the cocoons at least, and that in the most eco- 

 nomical and profitable manner." The reeling of silk from the 

 cocoons requires skill, practice, and experience. But let none be 



