1840.] SENATE— No. 36. 131 



The exactness, caution, and frankness of this gentleman are 

 worthy of all praise.* 



IX. Varieties of the Worm. — Of the worms used for the 

 production of silk, there are several varieties ; some distinguished 

 by the shorter or longer time in which they perform their work 

 and pass the period of their existence ; and others for the qual- 

 ity of the silk made from them. The sulphur cocoon makes a 

 coarser thread than some other varieties. The six weeks worm 

 will yield the most silk. The three weeks worms can be made 

 to produce two crops, if they are carefully managed ; if not 

 particularly attended to they will require four weeks in which 

 to complete their winding. The mammoth white require four 

 weeks ; and make two-thirds as much each time as the six 

 weeks worm. A new and beautiful variety, forming, from its 

 being depressed in the middle, what is called the pea-nut co- 

 coon, has been much approved, both from the beauty of the silk 

 produced from it as well as from the little waste to which it is 

 liable in winding, it running off in reeling almost without leav- 

 ing any thing. 



X. Quantity of Cocoons for one pound of Silk. — Of the 

 number of cocoons required to weigh a pound, or the number 

 required to produce a pound of silk, very different statements 

 have been made. Cocoons are measured in Mansfield, Conn., 

 by the bushel. The measures are evened, or as sometimes 

 termed, struck, and four quarts additional are allowed to each 

 bushel thus measured. The weight of a bushel of cocoons 

 will vary from seven to nine pounds. The quantity of silk to 

 be obtained from a bushel of cocoons will depend on the quali- 

 ty of the cocoons. The weight of cocoons will be affected by 

 the time which has elapsed after the stifling of the moth or 

 chrysalis. 



With Mr. Smith, of Amherst, one bushel of pea-nut cocoons 

 gave one and a half pound of reeled silk. Of the sulphur co- 



* Appendix S. 



