PTOMT WORKERS AND BUILDERS. 113 



In Europe the principal silk-producing countries are France 

 and Italy. The manufacture has spread into other coun- 

 tries, and it is becoming a quite important industry in the 

 United States. 



10. In raising cocoons, two things are necessary — a 

 climate and soil that will produce mulberry-trees (and 

 this is found in the United States almost anywhere south 

 of latitude 43°), and intelligent care during the brief 

 period of the silk-worm's existence. This part of the 

 silk-culture is essentially a home industry. The silk- 

 worms require such delicate and individual care that the 

 best results are attained from small orchards of mulberries 

 and a limited amount of worms in one establishment. By 

 devoting an acre or two to the cultivation of the trees, the 

 children and unproductive members of the family can do 

 the very light work necessary during the six weeks' care of 

 the worms. In this way the family can receive a substan- 

 tial benefit, the profits often being greater from this small 

 number of trees than from all the remainder of the farm. 

 The demand for cocoons is so great that there is no danger 

 of overstocking the market. 



HONEY-GATHERERS. 



1. In all ages the bee communities have been regarded 

 with great interest by observers of nature. The facts re- 

 sulting from even a cursory observation are such as to 

 excite admiration and astonishment. Here, among di- 

 minutive insects, is found a society perfectly organized 

 and well ordered ; the members continually industrious 

 and showing a wise thrift in regard to the future, and 

 displaying a high degree of seeming intelligence in adapt- 



