1840.] SENATE— No. 36. ^ 245 



enable them to emerge into the light of day, prepared for procreation ; 

 and to leave behind them at their death not many days afterwards, the 

 foundation of a progeny, to be the subject and hope of another year's 

 culture. 



Various articles are used for a refuge to the worm where it may build 

 its cell. Oak branches answer well ; but rye straw, set up at con- 

 venient distances among them, in small handfulls tied, is as good and 

 on some accounts better than any other arrangements. Cocoons being 

 perfectly formed and ripe, which is effected in three or four days, are 

 to be gathered and stripped of their floss or loose silk, preparatory to 

 reeling. If there be occasion to delay this operation more than eight 

 or ten days, the chrysalis within the cocoon must be stifled with heat, 

 by being baked in a moderately heated oven, or by the action of 

 steam ; and the cocoons spread out in a safe place to dry until wanted 

 for reeling or sale. 



The cultivator may now wish to order things the most wisely for the 

 ensuing season. To keep on the ground of experience, I state my 

 own mode of doing the business. The best cocoons for seed, all 

 scientific and practical men will say, is a rational maxim. Shall we 

 therefore take the best part of our crop, cocoons yielding the most to the 

 reeler and set them apart for seed ? Instead of this, we reserve for 

 reeling, such as are best for that operation, which will yield their silk 

 the most readily ; but those which we call dupions or double cocoons, 

 and which are incapable for the most part of being reeled, we devote to 

 propagation, and find no perceivable inferiority in the product. The silk, 

 after the escape of the butterfly, is used to good profit by being cleansed 

 of its gum by boiling in soap and water, and then spun like flax on 

 the little spinning wheel, yielding an article for hosiery of excellent 

 quality. The eggs deposited on cloth or paper, are preserved during 

 winter from too much frost and the depredations of mice, and will be 

 ready in spring, to be put to their proper use. 



Whether the above sketch can be applied to any useful purpose in 

 aiding the silk culture, I leave entirely to you, confiding in your judg- 

 ment as to the best means of diff'using knowledge among those who 

 look to you for instruction in what pertains to agricultural pursuits 



With high esteem, your servant, 



Boston, Jan. 24, 1839. JOSEPH FIELD. 



