1840.] SENATE— No. 36. 229 



degree of skill it demands, are very considerable. The cocooneries 

 are fitted in a permanent style, with every appliance for pushing its lit- 

 tle tenants through their rapid evolutions in the shortest possible period. 

 For not only by accelerating the labors of the silk worm, do we abridge 

 the period of its life at least one-third, but we augment its produce in 

 a corresponding ratio. We positively obtain in twenty-four days a 

 quantity of silk greater in amount and superior in quality than when 

 the process is protracted through forty days ; for it seems to be a law, 

 that the nearer this precious insect is kept to a certain point of tem- 

 perature, and the more assiduously its wants are supplied, the more per- 

 fect will be its developments and valuable its products. It unquestionably 

 is so, and it would seem, therefore, that this method alone would be 

 selected. But it must be remembered, that its application is calculated 

 for an exclusive business, which contemplates the culture of immense 

 numbers, and the expectation of corresponding profits. In cutting 

 short the period of feeding we do not thereby diminish the quantity of 

 forage ; for, in large establishments, stimulated by the excitement of 

 an elevated temperature, the consumption of leaves is enormous. In the 

 natural system, we bestow upon a brood of silk worms no more than 

 ordinary attention to its wants ; we feed them, protect them from their 

 enemies and the vicissitudes of climate, and leave them to that unerring 

 instinct which impels them to construct their silken spheres. When 

 the culture of silk is merely an incidental branch of domestic industry, 

 it is no advantage to abreviate its labor, at the expense of other inter- 

 ests, and where great numbers are not involved, it would be far from 

 repaying the extra cost. The artificial system is a beautiful result of 

 philosophical experiment, and, under all circumstances, the more near 

 we approximate its regulations, without incurring its expenditures, the 

 greater will be our success. 



Whether we adopt the natural or artificial methods, it is a precaution 

 of vital consequence, that the larvse be distributed over an area of space 

 corresponding to their rapid growth, taking care that they never be 

 crowded. It matters not how well all other rules are observed, if this 

 be disregarded, they sicken in great numbers, or, at best, spin but a 

 worthless cocoon. To promote in them the highest state of health, 

 free space and pure air, are indispensable. The atmosphere of the 

 building must be kept pure by cleanliness and uninterrupted ventila- 

 tion. When an abundant supply of leaves are superadded to these 

 requisitions, we never hear in this climate of the loss of silk worms by 

 disease. This is the secret of cultivating silk, every step of which, 



