43 



ted to the operation of another washing, ami 

 then drained either by means of a sieve or cloth 

 and dried. &.c. 



We have given this not with a view of recom- 

 mending it, but merely of showing the parade 

 that is thrown around a few eggs by giving a fac- 

 titious importance to what does not deserve a 

 second thought. Where we would ask did the 

 worms in their native state procure their scra- 

 pers and persons to use them ? Where did they 

 derive the water to perform their ablutions in ? 

 W here let us ask, has science derived the know- 

 edge of the fact, that the gummy substance 

 which gives to the eggs their cohesive property, 

 should be removed? We are not among those 

 who would reject all improvements upon nature. 

 it we confess we are of those who believe that 

 all improvements tending to domesticate such in- 

 cresting and ingenious artistes as are the silk 

 worms, should approach as near their mode of op- 

 eration in their untamed condition as possible. 



It may possibly be asked, as we have set our 

 ace against innovations, where in their native 

 ioresls, did the silk worm obtain a thermometer? 

 -By what process did he regulate thtf ternpera- 

 ure of the atmosphere ? We answer that he did 

 >t obtain a thermometer any where; nor did he 

 hnd means to regulate the temperature of the 

 atmosphere. But these facts do not in the 

 'east militate against the soundness of our posi- 

 tion, as from tin; difference in the climate of that 

 joijutry and ours, what would be wholly super- 

 tin^ there, would be absolutely requisite here, 

 t'ere, the equality of the temperature of the at- 

 >ospuere,renderssuch an instrument entirely un- 

 necessaryhere from the ever changin charac- 

 Jf our climate, from hot to cold, from dry to 

 humid, it is essentially necessary to the preserva- 

 ion of their health and the successful pro<=ecu- 

 tion of their labors in all large establishments 

 e use of fire in stoves or fire-places are for the 

 two told purpose of maintaining a temperature 

 ranging from 70 to 80 during the period of 

 batching: the eggs, and from 65 to 70, afterwards, 

 up to the completion of their toils, and to preserve 

 ie atmosphere dry. We do not pretend to affirm 

 : worms cannot be successfully hatched and 

 raised without the aid of either stove, fire-place 

 thermometer: on the contrary, we know thai 

 the Eastern states they have been so raised 

 and are continued to be, by probably a majority 

 the farmers; but we think we are justified in 

 the opinion that to ensure success, as we have be- 

 lore premised, to any large establishment, the 

 cultunst should be able to create an artificial 

 temperature at all times, so as to counteract the 

 deleterious influence of sudden atmospheric 

 transitions, whether from heat to cold or from 

 aridity to dampness. 



Jn maintaining this opinion we but consult na- 

 ture, m the promotion of the health and comfort 



oi this most ingenious insect, and consequently, 

 ensure a vigorous prosecution of his labors. It 

 is affirmed by every writer that a certain tempera- 

 is necessary to be preserved during the pe- 

 riod of incubation, and if that be necessary, it can 

 [ only be successfully done in extensive laborato- 

 ries by means of the instrument named. But 

 there is also another important object to begain- 

 ! ed. It is known, that, where large bodies are 

 ' brought together in the same apartment, an at- 

 mosphere is generated, which if not corrected 

 will prove detrimental to their healthful exist- 

 ence, and it is a fact equally well known, that 

 there ^ no more efficient purifying agent than 

 i he silk worm when congregated together 

 m large masses make, comparatively, great de- 

 posites of noxious substances, which, no matter 

 how much cleanliness may be observed, will be- 

 come fetid and fill the apartment with vapors of 

 an offensive and injurious character. It is also 

 important to expel dampness whenever genera- 

 ted, and this can only be done by heat ; but then 

 as the degree of heat must not be pushed beyond 

 the proscribed point, an instrument is necessary 

 to designate that point. In small establishments, 

 the objects pointed out can be attained without 

 the agency of any SU ch instrument, as for in- 

 stance, the farmer who appropriates but an acre 

 or two to the culture, would be able to get aloncr 

 without it, making his feelings and judgment the 

 criteria with respect to the temperature. In 

 speaking of the necessity of preserving a dry 

 atmosphere, we do not wish to be understood as 

 pushing it to that point of rarification that would 

 be offensive to a human being; that is to be 

 equally avoided, and hence when inconvenience 

 may arise from that cause, the introduction into 

 the room of a few bowls of water, as is now 

 practiced in ordinary stove rooms, will be pro- 

 er to counteract it. We deem this explana- 

 tion the more necessary as our aim is to unfold, 

 as far as we can arrive at them, the difficulties as 

 well as the advantages of the culture, to the A- 

 mencan people. We shall, we trust, ever be 

 found too tenacious of our own self-respect, and, 

 to value the good opinion our fellow men, too 

 highly, to jeopard either the one or the other by 

 making misrepresentations in this or any other 

 branch of husbandry, which we believe could 

 not be realized; nor will we through fear of de- 

 terring persons from entering into it, fail from 

 making what we consider a candid and manlv 

 exposition of our honest and sincere convictions". 

 Our objectis not to get the agricultural communi- 

 ty to adventure into this branch of husbandry 

 with their eyes shut to it disadvantages our de- 

 sire is to lure them to its embraceby a candid 

 and open statement i,f facts we should scorn 

 ourself, could we bo influenced by other motives 

 could we be guilty of concealment. We be- 

 lieve that the culture is destined, if well prose- 



