SILK GROWER'S MANUAL. 77 



have less poverty and want perhaps, I might say, few 

 portions are found where the people enjoy more general 

 competence and comfort and to silk they are confes- 

 sedly indebted for much of the competence with which 

 they are blessed. 



But experiments have been made in various sections 

 of our country during the last few years, expressly 

 with a view to test the profits of this business, and 

 feeling obliged, as I do, to believe the statements of 

 gentlemen who have made such experiments, my only 

 surprise has been that the results have shown such large 

 profits. I could name experiments made in Massa- 

 chusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Penn- 

 sylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Ohio ; but 

 they are familiar to all, and they go to prove that silk 

 can be produced so as to yield a very large profit. 



But on this subject I have other evidence still, that 

 silk can be produced in our country, notwithstanding 

 the high price of labor, to a large profit evidence 

 which, to me, at least, is perfect demonstration I ac- 

 tually produced it myself to a large profit. Last year 

 I actually produced silk at the rate of $ 104 per acre ; 

 this year, valuing the raw silk at $4.50 per pound, 

 at the rate of $108 per acre. The gross product this 

 year was five hundred and twenty pounds of cocoons, 

 or forty-eight pounds reeled silk, the cost of producing 

 which is $2.25 per pound, or the value of one male or 

 two female hands, twelve weeks each ; which, valuing 

 the silk as above, leaves the minimum profit $108 per 

 acre. Now, this I know is no mistake ; the silk before 



