No. 216.] 727 



Agriculture uses--- — -- 2,500,000 horses. 



Wheeling uses--- 200,000 do 



For common wheeling 150,000 do 



For luxury do 75,000 do 



War 240,000 do 



When the armies are in the field. 



In peace the army requires seventy-five thousand hwses. 



At this time the State possesses tv?elve hundred and eighty-two 

 Toyal stallions, and two hundred and ninety-tour approved, making 

 in all fifteen hundred and seventy-six. 



We think it necessary that government should possess five thou- 

 sand two hundred stallions. 



We think it is our duty to obtain thorough bred or pure blood 

 horses, as the only regenerators of our horses. That those of the 

 Arab or of the pure English blood, should be selected carefully. 



The following letter was then read from Mr. D. Stebbins, of 

 Northampton, Mass. 



The culture of silk seems destined to become an important branch 

 •of American industry, and like that of wool and cotton, combine the 

 triple interests of agriculture, manufactures and commerce. Ameri- 

 <;a has the appropriate soil and climate. Our population bave the 

 requisite mechanical tact, industrial habits and native perseverance, 

 to insure success in any laudable enterprise. Satisfactory experiments 

 have been made in proof of the practicability of silk culture, to en- 

 courage its pursuit, and evince the deep interest which exists in its 

 favor; not only to supply ourselves, but other nations, with an article, 

 -adapted to the necessities and uses of every portion of the civilized 

 world. 



The existence of the silk worm has been perpetuated from time 

 immemorial. 



History does not nominally describe its origin, however, it is im- 

 plied by its preservation through the early ages of the world; from the 

 collection of every creeping thing into Noah's Ark, of course must have 

 had a previous existence. After the lapse of many years, attempts 

 were made to show that silk had its origin in China, before the time 



