\f) Silk Manufacture. 



tions ; but the superiority of the American silk will insure 

 them a preference. 



The following statistics of a mulberry orchard of two 

 acres, are by the late Andrew Parmentier, Esq. of New York : — 



650 standard trees in the low parts of the ground, each 20 feet apart. 

 250 standjjrd trees on the rising places, 12 feet apart. 

 650 dwarf trees on suitable ground. 



1550 total. 



This ground to be fenced by mulberry hedges. The pur- 

 chase money for about two acres, with cost of manure and 

 necessary tillage, is estimated at $500. 



Supposing that to secure full success to this orchard by us- 

 ing none of the foliage, and tilling and replacing dead trees 

 during five years, counting loss of interest and other expen- 

 ses accruing, we have an increase of debt of $'375, and a cap- 

 ital of $881 ; but commencing from the fifth year up to the 

 twentietli of its existence, the author of these statistics forms 

 three different periods of five years each. The plantation 

 will give in the first period from 90 to 95 quintals of foliage, 

 that is 9000 lbs. or fodder for five ounces of worm seeds ; 35 lbs. 

 of silk worth about $180, that is 20 per cent, on $881. The 

 second period will annually afford for 14 ounces, 15,000 quin- 

 tals, or 95 lbs. of silk, equal to 47 per cent, on $881. But 

 the third period to the twentieth year of age of the orchard, 

 from 500 to G50 quintals may be expected, which will feed 28 

 ounces, and give 196 lbs. of silk, worth nearly $1000, or more 

 than 1 12 per cent. 



Admitting however that each crop of silk costs some ex- 

 pense, which in no way whatever could be one-quarter or one- 

 third the profits, these latter are so secured and so considera- 

 ble, that the undertaking would prove in the highest degree 

 useful and profitable. 



The following estimate is by Mr. D'Homergue, a celebrated 

 silk manufacturer of Philadelphia. 



An acre contains 43,560 square feet. 1500 mulberry trees, 

 six years old, will produce each 30 lbs. of leaves, which make 

 45,000 lbs. An acre will contain 1500 mulberry trees, plant- 

 ed at a distance of 12 square feet from each other. This is 

 in case it is wished to grow corn or wheat in the intervals be- 

 tween the trees. But if the ground is to be devoted to mul- 

 .berry trees alone, 3000 trees may be planted on an acre at 

 six square feet distance, and these at six years old will pro- 

 duce 90,000 lbs. of leaves. Selling the leaves at half a cent 

 a pound, the purchaser gathering them, or at one cent a pound 



