126 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. [March, 



and of sewings, in favor of the profitableness of the cnlture, 

 within reasonable limits ; and at a fair value of land, labor, and 

 trees. Any very great increase of production must of course 

 be followed by a reduction of price. 



5. Calculations made by John Fitch, of Mansfield, Connecti- 

 cut, are as follows. I have not the pleasure of a personal 

 knowledge of Mr. Fitch ; but his reputation is a guarantee for 

 the correctness of his statement. It is, as will appear, some- 

 what matter of judgment, but, I presume, founded upon expe- 

 rience. 



One acre of full grown trees, set one and half rod apart, will 

 produce forty pounds of silk. 



The labor may be estimated as follows. 

 • For the three first weeks after the worms are hatched, one 

 woman who is acquainted with the business ; or children, who 

 would be equal to such a person. 



For the next twelve or fourteen days, five hands, or what 

 would be equal to five, if performed by children. In this peri- 

 od, two men with other help would be employed to better ad- 

 vantage, than all women and children. This period finishes 

 the worms. 



For picking off" the balls, and reeling the silk, it will require 

 about the same amount of labor, for the same length of time, 

 as the last mentioned period, which may all be performed by 

 women and children. The aforesaid labor and board may be 

 estimated at eighty dollars ; spinning the silk at thirty-four dol- 

 lars ; forty pounds of silk at the lowest cash price, is now 

 worth two hundred dollars, which makes the following result: 



40 lbs. of Silk at $5 per lb. $200 00 



Labor and Board, $80 



Spinning, 34 114 00 



Net profit per acre, $64 00 



The principal part of the labor may be performed by wo- 

 men and childcn ; but where the business is carried on to a 



