: 7 F oe Gan one | Ais ees 4 Sey “ 4 ; aH | : | | y X — «bIST omedueg. \ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ae DOG var 1 18¢' Session, ; j U No. 110, Ap WOMEN’S SILK CULTURE ASSOCIATION. - LETTER FROM _ ‘THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, ee TRANSMITTING Reports upon the operations of the Women’s Silk Culture Association of the United States and of the Ladies’ Silk Culture Society of California, and upon experiments made in the District of Columbia with silk-reel- img machinery. ae aie a ee ae JANUARY 16, 1890.—Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and ordered to be printed. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, Washington, D. C., January 14, 1890. Sir: The act of Congress approved July 18, 1888, requires, among other duties, that the Secretary of Agriculture ’ shall transmit to Con- gress reports of the expenditures and. the results obtained by the Wo- -men’s Silk Culture Association of the United States, and by the Ladies’ Silk Culture Society of California, in their experiments for the en- ‘couragement and development of the culture of raw silk. It also re- quires the Secretary to transmit a report of experiments made in the District of Columbia with automatic silk-reeling machinery, and also of all sales of silk and silk waste, and purchases of cocoons, with the names and residences of all producers of cocoons of whom purchases are made. In accordance with these requirements, I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of said reports for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889. The act of Congress approved March 2, 1889, requires that Joseph Neumann shall report to Congress through the Secretary of Agricult- ure, on or about the Ist day of January, 1890, the results of his ex: periments with the wild native silk-worm of California. I have the honor to transmit herewith the report of the said Joseph Neumann. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ; J. M. Rusk, Secretary. Hon. THos. B. REED, Speaker House of Representatives. REPORT OF EXPERIMENTS MADE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, SILK SECTION, Washington, D. C., January 6, 1890. Str: I have the honor to hand you herewith my report upon the experiments with automatic silk-reeling machinery which have been con- ducted in this Department, which shou! d be forwarded to Congress in accordance with the provision of the act approved July 18, 1888, ‘ mak- ing appropriation for the Department ot Agriculture, and for other purposes.” The general object of the experiments which we have been making under the authority of that act has been to improve and make practi- cable for work in the United States the Serrell automatic silk-reel. ‘This is the only automatic silk-reel which exists, and there was there- fore no option on the part of the Department whether it or another should be adopted as a basis of experiments. At the beginning of the last fiscal year the experimental silk tilature was at a standstill because the machine of which we had secured drawings from Europe had not succeeded as well as we had hoped, and experiments were then in train with a view to making it work. There are two main parts of the automatic silk-reel. The control movement measures the thread and, when the latter becomes too small, sets in operation an electric current by which the feed movement is put in motion and a cocoon added to the thread. The first object of my experiments was to pro- duce a feed movement which should be absolutely automatic and do away with the great amount of labor which was entailed by filling by hand the magazine used in the original automatic reel. This object has been attained, and a feed movement which works successfully has been constructed and six of them are now ready to be put in operation. The control movement made during the previous fiscal year, while it works to a certain degree of satisfaction, was not all that could be desired, and a new one has therefore been designed which does much better. Two machines are now in operation with these new movements and they are doing satisfactory work. It is not improbable that there may yet be, found some details which will need correcting, but as far as can be seen the main difficulties have been overcome. It is important that it should be understood that the improvements which have beén mentioned do not in apy way involve any change of principle of invention. On the contrary, they are improvements of mechanical details, the principle of the original automatic machine having been adhered to, as it is felt that that principle is the only good one and the one upon which the automatic silk-reel of the future will be based. That a thoroughly automatic silk-reel is a possibility is a matter of which there can be no question. That it is a necessity for the United States is equally indisputable. It is important that the reels as now constructed should be given a thorough trial and that im- 2 eee eae Ns 7 OR ne 8 Ly WOMEN’S SILK CULTURE ASSOCIATION. 3 mo, of details should be continued until a machine is con- %. structed which will be not only as nearly perfect as possible in the performance of its functicns, but also as simple in its mechanical details and as difficult of derangement as it can be made. Under ex- isting instructions I shall deem it my duty to follow out a line of experiments tending towards this end. I transmit herewith a list of the names and addresses of all persons from whom we have purchased cocoons during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1859, and the amount purchased from each, together with a state- ment of the sales of raw silk and waste which have been made in accordance with law. Yours respectfully, PHILIP WALKER, Chief of the Silk Section. Hon. J. M. RUSK, Secretary of Agriculture. Report of purchases of cocoons and sales of silk during the fiscal year 1888-89. PURCHASES. Total quantity of dry cocoons purchased 2,421 pounds, 9 ounces. S35 v5VTVEV TUG TORI OD TH GTEN RE) COR ae om A a SS SS a pe $2, 138. 03 oN NV SURERES | HEIN ELD) ]OKEU PN CODD OG LER eA Ss ee Ce Sena os . 88 SALES. Raw silk to Belding Bros. & Co., New York, June 14, 1889, 1334 eS iho COwper pounds I4 0 hess el. Pee elle Coe $480. 60 * Waste to Cheney Bros., S. Manchester, Conn., March 27, 1889 : : Waste silk, 1074 pounds, at 81 cents - Hk ah ee gies OZ. OB Unreelable cocoons, 209% pounds, at ‘45 cents per pound. Ae Rap 94, 44 Partly reeled cocoons, 129} pounds, at 36 cents per pound ..--.. 46.53 ‘ 228. 05 ROU ACS eat ace cicisleuaia\sln\clello aes Selim te isa s amiuta Be ln eden 708. 65 Bb nate WOMEN’S SILK CULTURE ASSOCIATION, List of persons from whom cocoons were ptrchased during tie fiseal year 188889, togeth with their addresses, quantities purchased, and sums paid therefor. Address. Name. Weight.) Valu Town. County. State. | Lbs. 02. Adelaide E. McKellips...... Wiestyilletcsoe neces Ea Porte +. -j/2.-- Indes 3 z 8 $1. Laura Harrison ..-.---.-..-- Eureka:........-- Pes 27s | MATION ea sees Fila, os. 3 8 3. HA Maillers ose eee ee ose Moore --- b -| Spartanburgh..... Si@r ts 3 8 3. Mrs. A. W.Smith.--.......-- Petersburgh. - Dinwiddie ..-..... Van ay 3.4 3, L. Addie Gaston...-.-..-.--. Duncan's ..--.. - | Spartanburgh ..../ §.C...-. 9 12 10. Frank Warren ..-...-----.--. Grand Bay Mobileze2-feeesees Aas 32 6 0 6. Mrs. M. T. Morton..--..-.-.--- Bellwood ne seeqacs =a. Butlepicsecsc see et Nebr ..- 9 0 4, ASH AW enReestengsce acrid Crocketh es eetesssn: Houston .......-- Texs ser Ue 7a TH Grrky hoa eke eee es Rayne Station ......-.| Arcadia -..---.--- i: ee 5 12 6. Louie aE. Mathiew....----.-. Covington ..--...--.-. St. Tammany ...-- Last 8 8 8. George Mitchel ...-..------- heesburghetes= ee se Wake. ceoseassee Bla io: 2 Spee 4. Aaa AMISOY) wishin cing am a ¢23/ Oconee Mills. 0 22205. Sales ste setae Gases 12 4 12, Warrie Price) 242-7 32.2 0e-c. ORS SEU aasenenae saci Limestone ....---- Meanie, 14 1 14, DAN TRASK heM ae cis acute sda sla Hleming sb) see es Liberty so ese. Galeiees 3 12 3. James Pritchard ..----...--. Quincyie see aeeee eee Gadsden ....-..-.. Baas. 44 3. Ag. Legreve.------------.--. Winter Park .52)--. =. |) Orange ee seeps 2 OF ee 14 1. MY Grambarth 2.0 -5:6 sus New Orleans; 4.5.25 Orleans ~. 2/2-.0i5-< ba cet 10 : Oo Vi RAUGeR feo eee oe alate miler AOD Kase ase Seer Oranve ees peeens Blairs 9 4 9. Fannie Jenkins -.---.-...--. Camden. se eee nee Wileoxi-curere eee Ala eee 40 2 Lizzie Walters .--.--.------- aK GSidel Sse cesar sera Clay .---- Bee Sy Mla ete 2 8 2. C. B. Berkenkamp: .---------|..--=- QOS sos ee ee ps he Pes Go. eee een Wlatcces 2 8 7s Mrs. Z. RP: Moses!.----.-----. SUMECK ose meyer. = weamter = ocees ees SHCz Een 2 0 i Eleanor Lever ....--.. ----- IW O Ye ate ate ears ets A lachitna oc acne eee i lain: it Otto J. E. Urban ...-2- ----.- Thorndalez-sfeces-c88 Malan case eres Moxsses a0) ie Hannah Seavey.....--.----- Harrell’s Store..-...-.| Sampson.-..--...--- IN Cae. 21 8 21. M. V. McGaugh ..... Spano Collirene, 2-04 oo Lowndes ..-..---- Alacwcee 4 0 4, Joseph Debaugh.......----- WCAGING | hase eo ena IGVe@nsiscme== ene Kans... 8 12 8. Mathias Schneider.-.......-.- Pinckneyville ..-..--. Perry te eeacee TE Sse 6 8 6. Mary pAS WOx! fae: -)-hcimet ai Coffeyville..-......-.- Montgomery ----- Kans ... 8 0 8. George A. Light...--..-.--- SaVersuncea cents ne BOAT y es he seein Texi scl. 6 p IM PACS seen ee ee eese As Una Possess ser sons Palle esas eee Mex 252 7 4 6. PUY ieee Xe cretetel tes sia oe ota Fredericksburgh -.-- | Spottsylvania..-.--. VWialeper ae 3 8 3. Pearl Murdock... <5 525 2-2... Oxford seas se SUMUSE rece sae: BF yueaes 3 12 3. PE CW Geni te sees cmee ee cer Mauldin Station....- Greenville . .2-..|,S.0 5.22. 112 if J. A. Crittenden .......-..--. Greenfield .......----- Dados otsae see Mos’s2-% 10 : Val al eek See ee eee WeavelGityeecassce- +/| Baxrrens..-cs-eer = Kyat 49 12 32. MuKe Murdock cc c7-\2\-\6= == Sheppardtown ....-.-. Be lHloresce eae ss Miss - -- 8 ; Adam Clatic 2222s) s)a\cnesric Washington ..-....--- Washington ......| D. C..-- 3 4 i: Te ay h ap ekey ees oe SA See Orlando sayees Eee Prince William...| Va.-...-- 8 0 8. Wen vA Cook!2) 222. cose: ake dCity. sae a Columbia ....-...- 6 12 7. PAI COmbUCKEL soon. 24) 2.255< <|Holmes\s-.82.. 25) Miss.-.. 12 . 67 WEra se. Kerner 200. 2ose-\\ Sarpy econo ds select St. Charles ..-.... Datei. 132 1.18 WO. feta. crew tncsecbia te eae EGRESS Aes Ne Sie dor es ea ce Bai makies aa 1. 83 Pe IT aGIOO 2s oo sccie ee ee | ara lnc uray. ene ale Marion. ceseaaes S: Geass 4 0 4, 20 Mra. A.J. Mercer...-...---. New Supply ..-.----- Brunswick .... .--. Nias 2 08 11. 00 PS CTOZIOL fy cocking saacie neues Little Rock.-.-.......- Pulaskivo-c- ausee Aur keys ue 8 8 8.50 Miss Jennie Rosamond..-.-- Brushy Creek ....-.-. Anderson.....---- SOON SAE 31 12 27. 67 NIA ME Game. Succ saben: Melvernn sce sears sae Osarer esses. ete: Kans --- 5 12 6. 03 meheoe Mention i222) see: San Antonio. --.-.-.-- Boxers Sore eet Mex. sis 1 12 1, 22 Mrs. Mary P. Jones. -.-...-.-- Johnsonville. ...... wy A Wain Otcees somata): DoW ae aa 2 8 2.75 enn Pallud 4% ee) 2 coke oa Loreanville ...::.....- Miberiaysese.e so. ease 12 0 9. 71 Mrs. Mathilde Schaeffer’ .... Boemessersedes esses Kendall. ))252-% s Dexs 22: 3 8 3.15 Mass Ws T. Taylor: 22 325..2: Clarksville )o2 52) 2..22 ee ee Sytem Mex. nea 3.4 2. 92 Mrs. Lubrina Eads.-.......-. Decaturic segs UC WWHBSE bes detec sce excre Cie 4,67 Mrs. Elizabeth LaWixy seeteiaters Pott'sCamp./..22....-. Marehal yalslay ganja Miss.... 1 4 ~75 EOMEMERI Cee. to) wt Bandera). ba.c5 besos. | Bandera ...-.. yens!) Dex so. 4 8 4. 59 Mrs. Mattie Hick......-...-. Deputy = ences sence ee Jeffersons... 4 "e255: indice: 2 0 2.10 PlaWAG ONES. is teks Wiyomiina ee oar eae Stark2eh ed Aras s2 Db steel 12 14 12. 06 Miss Hlora MH. Ralph... ...2:.| Vinton ...-2.22--2:-.. (Gallien eae sma Ohio .... 6 6 6. 69 Peter Joseph Schmitz. ...... Néw Market.-........ Scoth/ Saxony) caaae Minn... 2 14 2.12 Miss Laura Chapman -...-.-. Grant Parks. 3520025) | Kankakee ..-...-.} 1 OUR ae 3.0 1. 50 Mrs. J. E. Gladish _.......... | Higginsville .-...--... La Fayette —: 22.2: MG t= Baa: 3. 25 Miss Hessie C. Brown.....-- Moscow, 22s) seest-to- Clermont ..--..--. Ohio .... 6 8 6. 50 21) LET OF) ae et Cn Branklimichase ce: ie Brankdine 3-422.) Nebr .-. 3.0 2.40 TLE GL A C6 Cay ee ST TAS a es NO a Saeco ses Nebr’ =. 2 0 1, ti0 Mrs. A. I. Sherwood......--. te hrone sche ten ae lae Wbpterso ssa eek rales ee 2 0 2.10 Mrs. G. M: Wilson. .:---...-. eres ar COR eee as UM Os ean cette oes Ind: 27 10 27.28 Miss Elizabeth C. Frazer...-| Silver Springs .-...-- [Wilson |... 22s. --2. Tenn 2. 6 26 Miss Mollie E. Miller......-- Gaile seg licking. ays. 22 | Ohigs.-- 10 4 8. 20 Mrs, Minnie Cornelius. --..-. Gardnersville ......- Pendleton ........ Rey ie 1 8 1.35 Miss Edith M, Hewitt. ....-. | Eureka Springs .-.-...- Carroll eee se Ark 2: 1 0 50 RRC OViiy eee ames WiPleasan tr soeeessee ss: Martine acest Koy ee 24 2.25 F. W. Schumacher...-.....-- L DOMWNWitth= cass oe. sen) Saliney sees sae} Nebr ...| 3 6 3. 37 Musgs,,.M. Inoin’ 222.022. .52" Dewi! (2a 5pten ck cs oo Goochland .-.-..-.-. Was\enee 4 0 4.20 Martin Mayer...:.. 0 ...... WE ONANG pe esecet eel UP BIT Vases aceite: Tee 12 0 12. 60 John A. Richenbacher ....-. Galranmayee ie) neces Brankdin eta Ohio.... 12 75 Miss S. £. Howe-...-.......-. Chambersburgh Lessa COV eaatnventces Paes. 5 0 4.37 Miss Bettie Hines.......-.-- | Defeated): 2.2225. 255 Smiths. hoe. Tenn ..- i reall 52 Francis Althouse ...-...---. Si-g Miamions Hi DE Weight. | Value. & = wo WwW Pro cwowb nw lel noe iw) i WNENAATINWRRAR WOR ROH — _ g Do HEE wotwwonn _ SPW RANK FPWR ODN ERE OQTeo Co (>) a bo AD WOM SOM — i) Ko —" WOSCNHNHORADFROOONA e Se _ lotion MBonwoowowsdnwsoonmnnmac a bo — lool eed _ NOSSCACSTHBNFOCOHFOCOROH ROKR DODMDDOSFKYW _ — a SRN ARADORNMOCURSCSCOCOCHOWN _ —- En fers no no wl SE Fe SS RO re IS Oe Pere: bo no a FO or 0 SOO NGS | SNORE 6018.60 60:09 ee ee a ee oe ee POCO Ca CO OC ae PCG Ph ee a eae Se ey J Rec ee exe wo AnnmmowreueHoOoumcoeaceoewsHomDMhRreHocomuwowsc Bb re a et to NAW PN, bo _ ciate) “plete a crmaw go 9 WOMEN’S SILK CULTURE ASSOCIATION. 9 List of persons from whom cocoons were purchased during 1888~’89, ete.—Continued. gp Address. Name. Weight. } Value, Town. County. State. Lbs. 02 Minnie Jaeger ...--..--.---- Weosho ou socseaceae ss Newtons 22. on Mo) 3.)55: 2 6 2. 56 J.A.Marshall.......-. Markham Station... --. Fauquier WVaaveees 10 . 80 Judia Davis..+........ seeewely WW O00 DUCD = = 2-2 tesi Macoupin .- DOU a 114 1.91 Fie Cw ERGO H UNIS t\2/=5 aoe 2 ofeja/ale Minor! fees ede cto Baltimore. - Mdicy.2: 3 12 4.50 Thomas J. Brazelle.-....---.- Ith pee te oo Pag Ss ae Barry-.---- Moree 3.7 4.17 Madge O. Weirich........--- Reliance*snasesseee: Wrammentjonasicas Viadisnewese 4 5 5. 20 Isabel Hallam.............-.. Prairie City) <2-2------|, Bates )-- ==)... =-- Mo ....-. 12 14 14.53 Anna Garwood.......--.---. Boonvilleseessecsean': Wrarrickeccau ie Andi oss 8 12 8.75 Purchases of cocoons by States, fiscal year 1888-89. State. Weight. | Value. State. Weight. | Value. Lb. 02. | Lb. 02. Wonnecticut 0.5.5... .nten e+ 14 SI 57 | UOMISIAN eee solo) sie ayala ies 36 10 $34. 76 DMGNBISBIP DI secon seme vied demise. 2 8 1. 82 || Pennsylvania -.-........-... 50 0 43.70 NVPSt NITPINIA 225 socscwe so 1 12 1/86) |) Kentncky 25 25ee2 ooo: 62 12 45.15 MMISCODSIN Ue once sci cle xis 2 8 2.22 || North Carolina....-.......-. 54 8 54. 22 Beales Hes atsercicinial eiaree cies ato 2 4 Zee A abe beok:y. Seo ek as eee was 65. 42 Dakota..-.--- pene Sa ere a 7 0 7,00) ||Eorid a2. acme Pura Se ey S 71 12 65. 66 District of Columbia ..-....-.-- 15 8 TAD WL OX@S eam nee nas kor sects 68 7 66. 56 Massachusetts ............--. 10 8 9.45 || South Carolina .....-.--...--. 96 2 85. 57 Mar vian gaa fiwesie ewes sie hice 13 13 PETS i Nebraskaicesscecen-scines csc 136 4 120. 21 PAV KANSAS ace yeteek.ane eotc ce 15 10 14.19 || Andi ana eee es laleete seis 185 0 176. 38 14 4 14-780) ||P Reamsagecmasaaeisaa attests stacre © 249 14 225, 66 22 8 1912 eMitssouni seca: 2A Saree eenne 270 i1 229. 26 87 14 PAS BY(MTok OJ aU aye ee a api ak A 307 3 265. 87 32 4 SU 64) | llinoiseee es: Seales cele 477 11 404. 74 37 3 32. 97 —_— — 33 (8 33, 30 Totals esse ccs eccas 2,421 9 2, 138. 03 32 15 33. 51 REPORT OF THE WOMEN’S SILK CULTURE ASSOCIATION TO THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT, AT WASHINGTON, D. C., FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1889. | As continued almoners of the public money, which to the amount of $5,000 we receive annually from the Government of the United States, this association begs to report a careful and economic distribution of the same in the various channels of the silk industry, notably in the distribution of mulberry trees, the advisability of which plan was forced upon us by the fact that, in the first years of our work, hundreds of families rushed into the new industry, with such opportunities as a few odd mulberry trees here and there on the farm or the forest offered, to suddenly find that they could not increase their experiments owing to the lack of natural food for the silk-worm, and thus dropped out of the per- sistent and continued effort needed to successfully establish a new in- dustry. This condition, forced on our notice by many facts, impressed us with the necessity of liberal and immediate planting of trees, and the following circulars were issued : [Office of Women’s Silk Culture Association of United States, 1224 and 1226 Arch street, Philadelphia. } In accordance with the plans of the Women’s Silk Culture Association, as suggested to the Congress of the United States, by whose dignified bodies the bill to appropri- ate $5,000 to the association to promote the industry of silk culture in the United States has passed into a law, the association desire to offer to the State agricultural schools, institutions, and reformatories, or to individuals who may have a purpose or desire to establish the culture of silk, a gratuity in mulberry trees, in lots not less than twenty-five nor more than one hundred. In every instance a guaranty must be given, signed by two vouchers, that the recipient who may accept these trees shall give them the proper attention required for their full fruition. It is desirable, in these days when the question of forestry has become such a momentous one, that we shall not only preserve the trees but increase them; and to this end the new movement of the association will be taking a step in the right direction. The mulberry trees of many varieties, notably the Morus alba and Morus japonica, are clean, healthy trees, of large leaf, rapid growth, great age, and, most important, the product of leaves is of great commercia) value. Further, from a small number of trees any quantity of cuttings can be taken during growth for a new nursery. It is hoped these claims to the planting of mulberry trees, which are without parallel, will encourage the planting of them without delay. A grove of such trees means wealth for the future. The association, therefore, ask for orders for mulberry trees, the order stating the number, locality of planting, and the date at which they are required, as only two seasons are open for planting, autumn and spring. Prompt suggestions and orders are invited. Mrs. J. LUCAS, President. Mrs. V. C. HAVEN, Corresponding Secretary. 10 ee WOMEN’S SILK CULTURE ASSOCIATION. 11 To applicants for trees to feed silk-worms : In both of the appropriations made to the ‘‘ Women’s Silk Culture Association of the United States,” 18&6-'87, by Congress a stipulated sum was directed to be spent in senidng, to those who desired to plant, the proper trees for the food of the silk-worm free of charge. This we did last autumn and the present spring, and will continue to do the coming fall. The same clause is in the appropriation made to the California ‘Women’s Silk Association” at San Francisco. We ask that orders for trees be sent not later than August for autumn planting and in the winter months for spring planting. This enables us to arrange orders so as to give time to the nurseryman to select his trees and ship at the proper time of planting. The first thing to be done towards the production of silk is a provision of food for the thrifty insect, which will take good care to perform its part if we are careful to perform ours, and its only proper and legitimate food is the leaf of the mulberry tree. This tree has been endowed with many properties, happily combining utility and pleasure independent of its primary purpose of production of an agreeable article of clothing; it leaves the sur- face much less impoverished than many other trees, its roots striking into the earth not obliquely but run+deeply and perpendicularly. The ground between the rows of trees when planted in orchard form may be occupied with other products; neither the shade of the tree nor the dropping of rain from its leaves injures the plants growing beneath. It is also a matter of universal observation that no insect except the silk-worm feeds upon it. The experiment was tried by Monsieur Tullein, and it was satisfactorily proved that the product of this tree is the exclusive property of the silk-worm, the insect that apparently works only for man. The Morus alba, or ‘white mulberry,” of which there are many varieties, has been generally adopted in America, The variety called Multicaulus is, in France and Italy, considered the best, but it has been found in this country too tender, even in the Southern States, to be always safe from our possible late frosts. It is natural to China. The Morus alba bas sound wood, beautiful leaves, and sweet fruit, and is mostly useful when its importance in silk culture is taken into consideration. The silk which it produces is of the finest quality. The fruit is white, roundish, oblong, and insipid. It isa treeof rapid growth. The bark, it is said, can be converted into a linen of the fineness of silk. One of its advantages is that its leaves come ont earlier than any other, the silk-worms can be hatched earlier, and are thus saved from very hot weather. Nurseries or plantations should have a sunny exposure, protected against stroug winds. Any land suitable for raising corn is suitable to the mulberry. As fast as the fruit ripens it should be gathered. When a portion of the fruit is ripe, spread cloths under the trees and shake them gently every morning during the ripening season. One ounce of seed will give about 5,000 young trees. Trees left to themselves are liable to assume forms as unsuitabie to the taste of the horticulturist as inconvenient to those who gather the leaves. June is the best sea- son for.preserving, when the young twigs that are taken off may be given to the worms. Trees can be raised by suckers, separated from the tree early in the spring with some roots attached to them, treated as cuttings. In fact, the ways of increas- ing the quantity of food for the worm from a few good trees are various and too numerous to mention in sma!l limits, but to any skillful farmer or tree raiser will suggest themselves. When Providence does anything for man, it is his duty to co-operate. The food plant of the silk-worm is the mulberry, of which two species are the best for this country—the white mulberry (Morus alba) and the Japan (Morus japonica. ) The Morus multicaulis is not always hardy in this climate. The mulberry grows readily and is easily propagated by cuttings, the easiest and surest method of planting to secure a stock. The cuttings should be planted in rows 4 to 6 inches apart, in light, rich soil, prepared by deep plowing and well pul- verized. They should be about 6 inches long, and each to have not less than two eyes; three are more certain of growth. They should be almost entirely buried, leaving one bud above ground; the rows should be about three feet apart, which will give sufficient room to pass between them. The quickest way to get a supply of leaves is to grow dwarfs. Set out the young trees from the nursery in rows 12 to 15 feet apart, and let the rows be 6 to 8 feet apart. Cut the tree down to about 15 to 128 inches from the ground. The height of the tree is easily regulated. The process of pruning not only promotes a strong and vigorous growth, but keeps the foliage within reach of easy picking for feeding pur- oses The best time for planting Guttings or trees is in either March or April. The eut- tings should not be transplanted before the second year. The planting of mulberry trees in the hedge form will be found very advantageous ; the same quantity of land will thus’ produce more leaves than from the standard trees, and the labor of gathering full one-half less. In the country and villages, where every family has plenty of ground by their dwellings, trees may be planted by the fences, so as to let the children pick the leaves to feed the worms. This is 12 WOMEN’S SILK CULTURE ASSOCIATION. what may be termed cottage culture, and every family of four or five children, in six weeks, can earn more than all the clothes they wear would cost. As the best and first thing to be done by a silk-grower is to cultivate the kinds of mulberry trees or plants which will give the largest yield of silk, we know that the Morus alba, or white mulberry, and the Morus japonica, or Japanese mulberry, “are certain to produce the best silk, and experiment will only increase expenses and render the value of your crop uncertain. The Morus japonica has the largest leaves, and is so easily picked that the French breeders prefer it to any other as a cheap silk producer. Its standing well the winters of the North is proved by five years’ growth in Kansas. It grows easily by cuttings, and many stems grow 6 feet high the first year. We are all aware that climate is a matter of first importance in the growth of the mulberry tree. The great metropolis of China, Peking, 39° 54’ latitude, about three miles south of Philadelphia, may be quoted as her northern extremity of the silk- growing country, which extends as far south as the twentieth parallel of north lati- tude. It is inher central province, between the twenty-fifth and thirty-fifth degrees of latitude, that the greater part of her silk is produced. The eastern shore of North America is, in this respect, so similarly situated to the same shore of the Asiatic continent that the mean annual temperature of any given degree of Jatitude on our Atlantic shores will be found very nearly. to correspond with the same degree of lati- tude in China, near the Pacific. China, also, in point of extent of surface and ter- ritory very much resembling those of the United States, it is evident that we of all nations under the sun have the best chance to equal that eminent nation as to the “oolden fleece.”? Nature has done all she can for us; will a sound policy effect the rest? This question was asked in regard to the special industry of silk raising in 1623, and is not yet answered. In 1783 the legislature of Connecticut granted a bounty on mulberry trees and raw silk. In 1810 the sewing and raw silk of New London, Windham, and Tolland were valued by the United States marshal at $28,503, exclusive of the amount of ‘‘domestic fabrics.” In 1837 it was announced that the “mulberry will grow and the silk-worm thrive throughout the whole length and breadth of the United States.” A few acres of land of ordinary fertility and a few dollars in money for the purchase of seeds and plants will enable a silk-grower to buy the foundation of a plantation on a considerable scale, and the first thing to be done towards the production of silk is a provision of food for the worm, that will take due care to perform its part if only we are careful to perform ours. The quality of the silk does not entirely depend upon the food ; general care through- out the entire progress, from the egg to the cocoon; is: very essential to secure good cocoons. The general experience teaches that the best condition of the leaves for feeding is when they are free from dew or rain. The stripping of the leaves should not be begun until the dew has been absorbed by the heat of the sun, and ought to be finished before sunset. Wet leaves produce diarrhea, and it is important to have a supply of dry leaves. To avoid accident, and to secure a supply for rainy days, a stock should be kept on hand; they will keep for a couple of days in a cool, dry cel- lar; a brick or stone floor is best, or on a clean linen sheet in a cool, dark room. Do not let them be too much heaped together, and do not allow a change of tempera- ture in the “leaf store,” tending to promote fermentation if gathered in hot weather or left too long in a state of compression in bags and baskets. Dusty leaves must be wiped with a soft linen cloth. Accurate thermometers are very needful in silk culture, and every room in which the work is carried on should have several. It should be impressed upon children, and all who are employed to pick leaves, to pass the hands up from the lower part to the top to strip off the leaves upward, not downward, as the latter may injure the buds. The picking of leaves requires great caution to prevent injury to the trees; nature never intended that they should be violently stripped of their foliage. All climbing of young trees should be avoided. Pruning-shears are very needful for tall trees. A pair can be attached by one of the handles to a pole any height most convenient, say ten feet, which, whilst it is held in one hand, is worked by means of a cord passing through a pulley, and attached to the other handle by the other hand. In the cities we see the tree trimmers using them in the streets every spring. My own preference would be for dwarf trees or hedges, if I were undertaking silk culture as a business, because the silk-worms, when preparing to spin, eat an immense quantity of food, and the easier the gather- ing of leaves is made, the better for all concerned in the feeding process. As arule, keep back the first hatching until the first leaves are developed suffi- ciently for food, but it is not always possible to do this in the variable climate of our Northern springs. Last spring the association received from Georgia specimens of cocoons, before the first leaf had appeared in the park, which shows that south of forty degrees should be the headquarters of silk culture, where the climate renders the work easier and certain of success. To be provided with a resource against a backward spring, those who have space will find that a small hedge—the width of a garden border will answer—planted in a / WOMEN’S SILK CULTURE ASSOCIATION. 13 southern exposure, sheltered by a building. Early in the spring, cover the hedge with straw or matting to protect it from the frost at night. A small space is suffi- cient, as in their ‘first age” the worms require very little food. I have heard that by careful gathering of the leaves in the early autumn, before they begin to fall, they can be dried and preserved, so that by carefully soaking them in pure cold water, and drying with a linen cloth, they can be fed to the early hatch quite acceptably. Under the heading ‘‘ Mulberry Leaves and Statistics,” in the last edition (1839) of the best book on the ‘‘ Mulberry Tree and Silk-worm,” by Mr. J. Clarke, I find that in silk culture abroad there is a ‘‘division of labor.” The ‘renting of trees and selling of leaves” is a business for a farmer or owner of land; it is one branch of the work, that of ‘‘ producing silk” is another, and the connecting link is a ‘leaf market.” , ; A leaf market in a city renders it quite possible for otherwise unemployed women and children whose houses have more rooms than are occupied to raise silk. If the children only are employed, it would be a great benefit; but there are women, old and young, incapable of heavy work, in all our populous cities, whose success in silk- raising would not only support themselves, but enrich the nation. If productive labor is a source of wealth, both to nations and individuals, it is de- sirable that it should be increased to its greatest possible extent. This can only be done by seeking out objects to which the labor of the young, old, and infirm is adapted, and among these is none more appropriate than the culture of silk. The same remarks are substantially true with respect to its manufacture. Leaf markets are established facts, not only on the continent of Europe, but in Asia. I quote from an eye-witness: ‘On all the roads and avenues to Broosa we saw mules, camels, asses, with all manner of conveyance, freighted with mulberry leaves for the leaf market. In the city itself we saw many families, on the approach of the silk-raising season, on the move to clear and make ready, for the labors of the silk- worm, every spare apartment in the house. Two-thirds of every house is a cocoon- ery.” In the town there is the leaf market every day, and in the houses are the worms feeding—a combination of town and country through the leaf market. Suppose this example be followed in America, and enable all to profit who will. Let the farmers enrich their hedges and fields with the wealth-giving tree, send its leaves by wagon, boat, or railroad, and enable every citizen, who is tied by his busi- ness to the city, to utilize everysidle hand in his family and empty room of his-house, by providing the silk-worms and the food tor them, and mark out a way to industry, morality, and health by raising silk. At the close of the thirteenth century, the celebrated traveler Marco Polo, in his narrative of travels in the Celestial Empire, says: ‘‘ No fewer than one thousand ear- riages and pack horses, loaded with raw silk, make their daily entry into Cambula, where silk of various textures are manufactured to an immense extent. Two essentials to success, at the present time, are quantity and quality of cocoons Quantity of cocoons will open filatures in many directions, and make the supply of raw silk equal to the demand of the manufacturers; and quality will secure the sale of all the raw silk produced at fair prices. ; A cocoonery for 1 ounce of eggs, 40,000, will cost about $57—and 1 ounce is amply sufficient to begin with. Any room that can be well ventilated and kept at a regular an‘! moderate temperature will make a cocoonery. Twenty frames or hurdles, with twine, tacks, and time, will cost about..-.--. $13. 00 HEC a OLIGO maT OS Moe aie a ten yt ae ele en ste ain ole Volala| 2 ia a) wi arubnl leh toate a ateras ag 5. 00 ummcees ray, OO) ee ary eteiata sarah sib) oom Cereal teeta elatelaiieialaln/mfeieiavasa fare aim aera) ass een OO Wneyboy tor four AWeek ser see se. 2k sa cljakl cle cep sccit ate ena sceicsiaetnemaeeice sees 10. 00 ECT E LOL LW OW OOK Beye ase aie sete tao ante tate) oS yet Yai siele cfs Siael orainynl waiaoelataenues Weare ga 20. 00 $53. 00 For the first week any woman or child in the house can easily pick the leaves and feed the worms. With patience and perseverance the mulberry leaf becomes silk. Mrs. V. CAREY HAVEN, Corresponding Secretary. ~ These circulars were issued in the summer of 1887, and in the space of two years we have distributed in nearly every one of the States of the Union large numbers of trees, aggregating 27,624 trees, and have many orders for trees standing for the autumn of 1889. This association feels it to be a matter of deep regret that this effort was not put forth in the first years of their work; but until the Government aid came to their assistance, this was not practicable, ow- ing to a lack of funds and the necessity for seeking, from private sources, support for the association. Already we observe the increased interest thus awakened. 2 14 WOMEN’S SILK CULTURE ASSOCIATION. The class of people calculated for this industry, and among whom only it can take deep root, the agricuiturists looking for new sources of income, live largely remote from the opportunities of knowing where and how to increase their possibilities of the new industry, and hail our offer of trees with great satisfaction. _ Wehave experienced some diffieulty in procuring good trees,in a proper state of cultivation for transplanting, but all these difficulties will yield to demand, and thus a new and healthy stimulus be given to this branch of silk culture, We are gratified with the quality and quantity of cocooons coming into the Philadelphia filature at this early date of 1889, as a slow and gradual improvement. Many other stations for the purchase of cocoons have been opened, notably at the sericulture department at Washington, Kansas, and : California, and we have much correspondence with these stations in reference to reeling their product, evidently with a view of having it done at less cost than they seem able to do it. In many places there are calls for the establishment of new auxil- iary associations, and one has been formed at Boston to represent the State of Massachusetts. It would be well for the more rapid advance- ment of the industry if every State had its Women’s Silk Culture Association. Weare pleased to call your attention to the successful reeling of silk, on simple American reels, at the Philadelphia filature. We have this vear carried out a successful education of silk-raising under the care of our American reelers, with a view of teaching them ali the-branches, that they may in turn teach others. Our best reelers, with fairly good cocoons, can turn out one pound of raw silk daily, and with six girls and six reels we run 24 skeins of raw silk at one time. California, Kansas, Illinois, Delaware, Massachusetts, and many other States are in special correspondence with us in reference to reeling and the establishment of auxiliary associations, thus showing continued interest in the development of silk culture throughout the States. In the South of Ireland, too, an association of ladies interested in silk culture has been formed, largely through the influence of this association, under the patronage of the Karl of Bandon. Dora de Blaquiere, one of their associates, states in her circular * that through the kindness of the Women’s Silk Culture Association of the United States, at Philadelphia, | have been supplied with information up to date of all their proceedings, anxieties, and successes from 1880 to 1888.” This association bids fair, under liberal patronage, to succeed in its effort. The Serrell reels, which are in place at the silk department at Washington, are marvels of automatic machinery, and may, in their fully perfected condition, work a revolution in the filatures of the world, especially as the industry increases in our own country, where, through the genius of the people and the freedom of our institutions, every industry reaches the highest stage of progress and perfection, and this Association, as the pioneers in the newly awakened interest in silk culture, regard with pleasure and satisfaction the liberal methods of the Government in thus developing all the best and newest appli- ances, to place silk culture prominently before this nation as one of its future industries. A country with a rapidly increasing population and advanced status in arts and manufactures; a people second to none in refined and ele- gant tastes and with its coffers, both public and private, full to over- WOMEN’S SILK CULTURE ASSOCIATION. 15 flowing, can not afford to eliminate from its varied avenues of wealth and production the marvelous beauty and elegance of the products of the silk industry ; and no higher channel can be found for the judicious expenditure of a portion of the nation’s wealth than the fostering care of such industries as give scope and opportunity to the skill and labor _of its people, thereby animating the man to the production of new mat- ter for the use of others, and illustrating the life of the silk-worm in the axiom of the silk industry, in which is embodied the highest prin- ciples of life: Not for ourselves work we. Respectfully submitted. Mrs. JoHN LUCAS. JULY, 1889. : Treasurer's report of the Women’s Silk Culture Association, of the United States, to the Agricultural Department at Washington, D. C., for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, {Under authority of the act ‘‘ Making an appropriation for the Department of Agriculture and other urposes.’? October 6, 1888, received from United States Treasurer, Draft No. 16610, Treasury Varrant, No. 652, October 4, 1888, $5,000.] ‘ Hon. JEREMIAH Rusk, Secretary of Agriculture: DEAR Sir: In accordance with request for detailed information concerning the ‘‘ expenditures and results obtained under this appropriation,” we beg to make the following statement for this fiscal year: The filature was in operation during the fiscal year 459 days; 4 reels in operation two months; 2 reels in operation seven months. There were about 536 pounds of cocoons used, yielding 104 pounds 1 ounce of silk. Received for sale of pierced and waste cocoons. .---...----------- .----- $334. 18 Received for sale of dress and flag silk...---.....2..-..--.----. 25-.--2- 7A S| Cost of labor employed in reeling, sorting, ete.: Salary of superintendent..---..-- SCL ere h eT a A ag A A Se, A ey AUS REN $480. 00 owes lens SORTELS ets ak etme erate tbe eyecare Stee (tava moter ates ef mies re te 390. 81 BEMOUMGSI.S sare sie sees am eames yeaa ca alsin cay tates aiatat 0 atmlap seh oe Veco oti 55. 00 Reelers and sorters, average pay 90 cents per day. To this summary we beg leave to add the following allied and necessary expenses : PIE hase Ols COCOONS so: Sena anna sees (oe t ois sisletn iors sete SRI hacia SS SSS $1, 536. 96 Rent, including steam-power employed ......--..------ .----------+------- 750. 00 Repairs and incidentals to silk and reel room....-.---...---..----s-+----- 64.71 Purchase of trees and freight........----.----- ------------- -----2 ---- = 2+ 1, 550. 32 Printing postals, circulars, advertising for cocoons..---..----.------------ 232. 90 eee e eee tee eee eee ee RS Be Oe om ercr cepa recta) Seely Geg emir: 59. 50 Experimental school at Fairmount Park....-...-.... ..---..----. ---------- 133. 97 State exhibits, auxiliaries, etc.........--. NR leit ga el PS ae Pe 124.25 Silk-worm eggs, Milan.....-..--....---- pa My MGS A NN UN lA 13. 80 MomnmimihieetO WwViasMUIlb OT Cee eee fei ees ehs chal Slavs alale! a eye1 ela cyeleleim 27. 55 Wrieavinic dreas:amGi ia Silos ele 0 i ei et ele ina) Roe ele nim oe 1, 351. 08. We have paid $1,536.96 for the purchase of 2,040 pounds and 14 ounces of reelable, pierced, and waste cocoons from over 123 persons of the following States: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina Virginia, Utah. We have distributed 17,801 mulberry trees to 28 States, as follows: IN EROS soe ae ee eT as Pye OFF i IMEESSO CITI Says eco NER Ep oa ae i AL TATIZOWM AR ec esos slau Sau ate ira DOF Vo mtiamagss we xseee acl apart cee z 50 Melawalel soe oes ee er aslee cae SOOMMANG DEAS Kaen se eect ek Senet ea 11, 200 Bloridases) ware cy ame ise Lae W157 New Jersey ene selen enna vssieatey b= 500 Georcnaese ny yea oe es ee HORI ING war Ors os eps tia ae eee 125 MIMO ee eas) soko Solepacets ost HOO tis CT On ere ey ER ELS A areca nd 175 Tang awa ey he ae eee Bas LOOS ROre ron eee enaras amines alate ie 100 ONG se eee eters oe at aeelanei eerie et Ce 20 |) Pennsylvania 222202 220.2 22340). 88 RAM GAS ee oes cae et acre ol calms Di, |wooubhy Carolinal m2. sa sceeie see : 5 SSIS yo a aT a 5: MOMMESSCO eos alta nie mrt etcaia sale 50 Mamvyilamad AncueeesU aes ere Gio bexasy) soe PA SA DETR I La 100 Massachusetts ....---..-..--.--. ; Fela Yn esrb over) (ie 2 UR ae aN FIR 113 VET Fa ra ele israel la ala clei a/s 6 125) |W as bao hori so yes elec lete ciate 79 REUNIO SOU Ay eae oe oe ieee etieia sre 50 | Wisconsin ..... Wh Led SHDN Ys gus 50 * 16 WOMEN’S SILK CULTURE ASSOCIATION. Instructions are given to any one choosimg to take advantage of the opportunity. During the year we have had many visitors to the rooms, making inquiries in-regard to silk culture and reeling. We freely distribute circulars in regard to tree culture, and give full information on producing good cocoons. The experimental school at the Park was entirely in the charge of young American women, tbeir first effort in silk culture, and was very satisfactory. There were many visitors to the school, who expressed much interest in the industry, several persons taking object- -lessons. Managers of some reformatory schools are taking an interest i in the work, hoping to make it an industry for the children. Trees have beer. planted, and next year those in charge expect to experiment in silk culture. % RECAPITULATION. RECEIPTS. q Government? Treasury, Sse eoce ie ce ke ee ee Aa eee orn $5, 000. 00 Accrued interest on same.....-...----- 02-22 252 2-25 2 Maite s cies taeiae eee 65.99 5, 065. 99 SA lopotiSulk note was c eyes ese oe ella eae Slates tials ee ae ce Sreeieep ete fae eee An (MESS) HAleOl WasStOxcCOCOONS, OtC. bsecee sano eee leeway cc eee acetone ete ner 334. 18 SN ee ee ee eee ee ee A eae Somorrcmacsocdaoss 6, 192. 16 EXPENSES. Purchase of reliable, pierced and waste cocoons .....----...---.---------- 1, 536. 96 Wares Ol Teolers/ andy SORbers) lsc ana se elena l= o eleeiniatey elem mlalenaelale) eee atelerett 390. 81 Salarycotgsuperimteagen besa. ns steels see) Wane) he aie melee alae ieee ee a yet eevee 480. 00 ALITY Olen MING Ole aero se he Sel nie eelete =