58 ON SILK. 



of sewing silk and twist manufactured from cocoons 

 raised by herself, and a small specimen of thread made 

 of the lioss taken from the cocoons. The other by 

 Miss S. C. Hodges, of Newburyport, consisting of sew- 

 ing silk put up in skeins and dyed with difierent colors; 

 and also, a work bag made of silk of her manufacture. 



The Committee regard these specimens as possessing 

 much merit, being in their opinion fully equal and they 

 think rather superior to any that they have been called 

 to examine. They feel sorry that the quantity is not 

 sufficient to justify them in recommending the high pre- 

 miums of the Society to be awarded, but do recommend 

 that a gratuity of $5 be given to Mrs. Parker, and $3 

 to Miss Hodges. 



For specimens of sewing silk, some of which w^as 

 colored, they recommend to Miss Priscilla P. Atwood, 

 of Bradford, a gratuity of |2. 



For the Committee, 



G. B. PERRY. 



MEHETABEL P. S. PARKERS STATEMENT. 



To the Ccmmittee on Silk Manufactured : 



Gentlemen — I present for your inspection a half 

 pound of sewing silk and twist, which I made from co- 

 coons raised this year. It was reeled on the common 

 clock reel and twisted on the high wheel. Also, a 

 specimen of thread made from the floss of the cocoons 

 carded, then spun from the end of the roll on the high 

 wheel. In cleansing it I put some in a thin bag, and 

 some loose in the kettle with white bar soap and water, 

 and boiled it about an hour. That which was left loose 

 is much the clearest. I cannot make a certain estimate 

 of the time it took me, as I had to devote part of the 

 time to my family. It would probably have taken tv/o 

 weeks if I had nothing to interrupt me. 



MEHETABEL P. S. PARKER. 



Bradford, Sej4. 29, 1841. 



