106 EXPERIMENT IN RAISING SILK. 



trees were killed by the cold of the preceding winter ; in cutting 

 the limbs for the worms these dead ends were not taken off; — a 

 very few days had passed before we observed the worms feeding 

 upon the dead bark of these limbs, evidently preferring it for a 

 part of their food to the fresh and green leaves which were given 

 them in abundance. And this propensity was observed during 

 the summer in each successive crop, (and I had four) though as 

 the leaves grew harder and drier as the season advanced, the 

 worms were not seen so frequently in the diy^ limbs. 



From the little experiment I made I am very much convin- 

 ced of these two things : first, that under favorable circumstances 

 the raising of silk will yield a very good profit. And secondly, 

 that it is a much less intricate and difficult business than a person 

 would be apt to suppose from the account given in most treatises 

 on the subject. Mine were taken care of mostly by my son, a 

 lad of ten years. 



For the purpose of extending a knowledge on this subject 

 through the community, the students attending Merrimac Aca- 

 demy this season, under the care of Mr. S. Morse, will have an 

 opportunity of observing the whole process of raising the worms, 

 &LC. in a room near the academy building, which will be open to 

 them from day to day. And every circumstance, as far as un- 

 derstood, freely and fully explained to them by the person who 

 has the care of the establishment. 



My mulberry trees continue in a very thriving condition, and 

 afford the most abundant evidence of the advantage obtained by 

 pruning and fashioning the roots as well as tops when they were 

 transplanted. 



With my best wishes for the prosperity of the Society in its 

 highly commendable efforts, I am, sir, with much personal re- 

 spect, yours, GARDNER B. PERRY. 



