254 [Assembly 



thus the STibject presented itself in its beginning, continuation and 

 completion, and certainly left no room for scepticism. 



Then followed the appointment of officers for the ensuing year, viz: 

 Dr. Daniel Stebbins, President; J. W. Smith, Secretary. 



A series of resolutions were then presented by Mr Van Epps, 

 which, after due discussion by the convention, were unanimously 

 adopted, viz. : ' 



Resolved, That we regard the numerous applications for informa- 

 tion in reference to the silk culture, which have been forwarded from 

 various sections of the country, as certain indications of a general 

 progress, and that the accumulated cases of success represented to 

 this convention, by communications and otherwise, furnish evidences 

 for increased confidence in the congeniality of American soil and cli- 

 mate, the entire qualification of our citizens for the production of this 

 delicate and valuable fabric; and leave no room to doubt, that indue 

 time it will become, what its evident importance demands it should 

 be, the leading staple of our country — furnishing with the raw ma- 

 terial, not only our own manufactures, but those also of France and 

 England. Hence, 



Resolved, That we esteem it a patriotic duty, to urge forward the 

 business, by every means in our })ower,^as connected with individual 

 interests and the wealth of our common country. 



Resolved, That we recommend the careful preservation and cultiva- 

 tion of the mulberry tree now among us, and to increase them tc^ a 

 sufficient extent to supply a constantly increasing demand; and that 

 we urge upon every farmer the planting of at least one acre of trees, 

 from the foliage of which one or more crops of worms may annually 

 be fed, without interfering with the ordinary pursuits of the farm. 



Resolved, That we learn with regret the loss of numerous orchards 

 by frosts, the consequence of an improper selection of soil or the 

 use of too feeble a variety of the mulberry — -and hence, would urge 

 the necessity of high (or if low, well drained,) locations, and the 

 employment of those varieties of mulberry which have been thoroughly 

 tested, and are known to endure our winters. The Canton, Brousa, 

 Asiatic and Alpine are such. The morus multicaulis will thrive 

 south of latitude 41 degrees, and may be profitably employed; but 

 north of this is unsafe, except with the greatest care; whereas, the 



