No. 151.] 143 



REELED SILK AND COCOONS. 



JYew-York, JYovcmber 27th, 1846. . 



Sir: — Having been the successful competitor at the late Fair, in 

 reeled silk and cocoons, I comply briefly with that regulation of the 

 American Institute, requiring a detail of the course pursued in the 

 attainment of superiority in any branch of industry or art. 



I am happy to state, that there is 7io secret in my operations to 

 which others may not have access. My reeling is done on the Pied- 

 montese reels, which are propelled by a single power, and the water 

 heated by steam. Experience alone can secure anything like excel- 

 lence in this branch of the silk business. It is by far the most im- 

 portant process in silk manufacture, because upon it depends the 

 perfection or inferiority of every after use to which it may be ap- 

 propriated. 



The cocoons presented by me were made at Washington, D. C, 

 and Northampton, Mass. The worms were fed upon the foliage of 

 the Canton, Brousa Multicaulis, and other mulberries. Either vari- 

 ety will make good silk if properly managed. 



In order to the successful culture of silk, very much depends upon 

 the management of the tree. It is worse than idle to attempt it 

 with an unhealthy orchard. The ground should first be ploughed 

 deep and manured thoroughly, (unless the soil is already good,) and 

 otherwise prepared as for corn, only that the rows should be further 

 apart, say five feet, and the trees only a few inches apart in the 

 rows. There will then be room to cultivate, and every tree will be 

 exposed to the rays of the sun sufficiently to mature the leaves. 

 Our orchards must be well cultivated from year to year, and the soil 

 kept loose and rich. This mode of planting is applicable to branch 

 feeding, which is now considered best for the last ten or twelve 

 days feeding. I have used in my feeding, which has been quite 

 limited, " Gill's cradles," and a ventilated frame of ray own con- 

 struction. Having a supply of good healthy trees, we have only to 

 give our worms sufficient room and air, keep them perfectly clean, 

 free from noise and confusion, with uninterrupted moultings and 

 enough to eat, and the demands of the insect are supplied. We 

 may then expect returns corresponding with the extent to which we 

 embark, and with as much certainty as we look for a harvest from 

 any given number of acres of wheat, corn, or any other agricultural 

 crop. 



