104 SEWING SILK AND TWIST. 



TCry extraordinary yield, and must, be considered al- 

 together more than an average product. Part of the 

 0ilk was reeled on Mr. Cobb's, and part on Mr. 

 Dale's reel, by Miss Ann M. Benton, of Windsor, a 

 very careful and skilful reeler. 



Cocoons are, ordinarily, sold by the bushel ; and a 

 bushel is estimated to contain from 2500 to 3000, ac- 

 cording to their size. But as it is difficult to ascer- 

 tain their accurate measure, it is generally commuted 

 for weight, eight pounds being considered a bushel. 



PROFIT OF THE SILK WORM. 



With respect to the profit which may be derived 

 from the culture of silk, much might be said and ma- 

 ny estimates made, demonstrating the fact of its be- 

 ing a prolific source of wealth; but it has always 

 been the studious endeavor of the writer, both in his 

 private correspondence, and his editorial articles, in 

 " The Silk Culturist," to stop short of the truth. He 

 is aware that the silk enterprize is an exciting subject 

 that farmers, who have not been accustomed to re- 

 alize large incomes from their lands and labor, may 

 be worked up into enthusiasm, in view of sudden 

 wealth and that by far the greater part of mankind, 

 are prone to indulge in " air castle building," always 

 to their detriment, and often to their ruin. 



To guard against these evils, which he is determin- 

 ed shall not be brought upon the community through 

 his instrumentality, he has always taken the lowest 

 estimates of product and profit, as the basis of his 

 calculations, considering these amply sufficient to in- 

 duce rational and cautious men, to try the experiment. 



He is aware of the various estimates which have 

 been made by practical culturists, and is fully satig- 



