354 [Assembly 



I am well acquainted with the management and growing of silk- 

 worms, having made it my study for many years; 5 of which were 

 spent at Mount Pleasant, Ohio, at which place we had 20 acres of 

 trees, and 3 cocooneries; we raised cocoons several years — the aver- 

 age cost price, was about $2.20 after everything was paid. Cocoons 

 of the best quality we obtained from the neighbors, at a price of $4 

 per bushel. Of food, I prefer the white Italian and Canton leaf 

 to any other; we generally feed three crops, the first two turn out 

 the best. I believe the " cradles," of great use in feeding large quan- 

 tities of worms, as they crawl about through the branches almost as 

 well as on a tree; thereby promoting their health and saving much 

 time in feeding. I believe cocoons can be raised for from $1.75 to 

 $2 per bushel, and yield 18 oz. of silk to the bushel, if properly 

 managed, 



Thus, gentlemen, I have give you a rough sketch of our operations 

 and experience in this line of business, and trust some hints will be 

 of use to the silk-grower. Silk growing, unfortunately, seems at a 

 stand-still; that is, there is only about the same number in the busi- 

 ness now, that were three years ago; when one quits, another and 

 occasionally two will commence. It would be well for all the states 

 to give a premium for 6 or 8 years, to arouse and stimulate more to 

 embark in such a valuable undertaking. The government of the old 

 world did hold out every encouragement to those who had courage 

 to hazard their capital and time, in the silk culture and manufacture, 

 by loans and premiums; well knowing it would eventually turn out 

 a rich source of national weal h. At this time we solicit our Sen- 

 ators, representatives and wealthy citizens, to " start fashion," to pat- 

 ronize and be proud of wearing our American manufactures which 

 eventually will make us what we wish to be, truly independent. 



Yours, very respectfully, 



JOHN FOX. 



After the presentation of this paper, some conversation arose on 

 the subject of the Hartford Repository. 



Mr. Travers reviewed the character and aims of the institution, 

 and highly approved of it. 



Mr. Ellsworth expressed his wish, that exhibitors of articles of 

 utility and ingenuity at the present fair, the product of American 

 skill, and calculated to encourage and foster American interests^, 

 would contribute specimens for the institution of Hartford. 



