1890 51ST Congress, » HOUSE OF EEPKESENTATIVES. i Ex*. Doc. ' 1st Session. ) \ No. 110. WOMEN'S SILK CULTURE ASSOCIATION. LETTER THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, TRANSMITTING Reports upon the operations of the Womeifi'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- ing machinery. January 16, 1890. — Referred to the Committee on Agriculture aud ordered to be pnuted. Department of Aoriculture, 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 exx>eriments 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 thorough the Secretary of Agricult- ure, on or about the 1st 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. EUSK, Secretary. Hon. Thos. B. Reep, Speaker House of Representatives. .l^^'n^ REPORT OF EXPERIMENTS MADE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. United States Department of Agriculture, Silk Section, Washington, I). C, January 6, 1890. Sir : I have tlie bouor to hand you herewith my report upon the experiments with automatic pilk-reeling machinery which have been con- ducted in this Department, which should be forwarded to Congress in accordance with the i)rovision of the act approved July 18, 1888, "mak- ing appropriation for the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes." The genera] object of the experiments which we have been making under the authority of that act has been to improve and make ])racti- 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 i)art 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 filature 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 been mentioned do not in any 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- ''''T^fe^inii?Tf-~ ^ -^ ■ V^ WOMEN S SILK CULTURE ASSOCIATION. provements of details should be coutinued until a machine is con- S^ structed which will be not only as nearly perfect as possible in the performance of its functions, but also as simple in its nitchauical details and as difiticult of (leranj>ement 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, 1889, and the amount purchased from each, togetlier 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. Eusk, 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. Amount paid therefor |2, 138. 03 Average price per pound .88 Raw silk to Bekling Bros. & Co., New York, June 14, 1889, 133^ pounds, at $3.60 per pound $480. 60 Waste to Cheney Bros., S. Manchester, Conn., March 27, 1889: Waste silk, 107^ pounds, at 81 cents $87.08 Unreelable cocoons, 209f pounds, at "45 cents per pound 94. 44 Partly reeled cocoons, 129i pounds, at 36 cents per pound 46. 53 228. 05 Total sales 708.65 /" 4 WOMENS SILK CULTURE ASSOCL\TION. List of persons from iihom cocoons were p%r chased during the fiscal year 1888-89, togeth with their addresses, quantities purchased, and sums paid therejor. Name. Adelaide E. McKellips Laura Harrison F.E. Miller Mrs. A. W.Smith L. Addie Gaston Frank Warren Mrs. M. T. Morton A.E.Webb B. Gnyral Louie E. Mathie w George Mitchel J. S. Ramsey - . Carrie Price A.E.Axtell James Prit chard Ag. Legrevp F. Grambarth C. V. Ritter .., Fannie Jenkins Lizzie Walters C. B. Berkenkamp Mrs. Z. P. Moses Eleanor Lever Otto J. E. Urban Hannah Seavev M. V. McGaugh Joseph Debangh Mathias Schneider Mary A. Fox George A. Light M. A. White W. T. Dix Pearl Murdock T.Vf. Glenn J. A. Crittenden L. Vial M. K. Murdock Adam Clark B. M. Ruflfner Ellen A. Cook Alice Tucker Clara Slough W. M. Cummings B. M. Brassfield Martlia Withers G. M. Clements Josephine S. Brown O. C. Burgess E. P. Keown — Mrs. Uelisle A. Whitfield . . . Mrs. Delia Jennings Mrs. M. J. Ingrem . . . Mrs. Saiab J. Atherson Cora Douglas Mrs. L. E. Harris Hilton Vaughn Hans Rasmus Miss Daisy Henderson Mrs. H. C. Hackley G. G. Harman Mrs. Geo. Thurston Mrs. K. Harmon Mrs. C. M. Busey Mrs. Jane E. Hancock . .' Nettie Painter Mrs. Sarah O. Fiscus Jas.L. Webb Dr. D. A. Friesen Wm. H. Collings.. Andrew J. Dolph". S. Y. Morrow Mrs. J. J. Bartlett Mrs. Clara Mason Miss Lizzie Bell Miss Cora Douglas Mrs. Mary T. Newkirk Mrs. A. E. Rieke W. E. Hatchinson Address. Town. Westville Eureka Moore Petersburgh Duncan's Grand Bay Bell wood Crockett Ra^ ne Station Covington Leesburgli Oconee Mills Kosse Fleming Quincy Winter Park New Orleans Apopka Camden Lakeside do Sumter .Waldo Thorndale Harrell's Store Collirene Reading Pinckney ville Coffey ville .Savers Durango Frederick sburgh _.. Oxford Mauldin Station Greenfield Cave City Sheppardtown Wa.shington Orlando Lake City Daw.sou Daytona Jefi'erson Livingston Orange City Monticello Huntington Central Plains Graysville Strabane , Patoka , EUaville 1 Science Hill Coffey ville Detroit W^alkers ville Coming Croft Martin Station Huntingdon Lookout Regret Champaign Paris Rockingham MtOrab Anderson Jansen Raji;own Rising Sun Fayetteville Tampa Edge Hill Clover Coffej' ville Ivanhoe Texas Long Lane County. State. La Porte Marion Spartan bnigh Dinwiddie Spartanburgh Mobile Butler Houston Arcadia St. Tammany Lake Hall Limestone Liberty Gadsden Orange Orleans Orange Wikox Clay do Sumter Alachua Milan Sampson Lowndes Lyons Perry Montgomery Bexar Falls Spottsylvania Sumter Greenville Dade Barren Le Flore Washington , Prince William. . Columbia Terrell Volusia Marion Sumter Volusia Jasper Putnam Flnvanna Catoosa Lenoir Marion Schley Pulaski Montgomery Wayne Greene ville Nemaha Mecklenburg Dallas Huntingdon Pettis McMinn Champaign Lamar Rockingham Brown Madison Jefferson Jackson Ohio Washington Hillsborough King George York Montgomery Sampson. .' Heard Dallas Ind . . . Fla... S.C... Va S.C... Ala... Nebr . Tex... La.... La Fla . . . Ga.... Tex... Ga Fla . . . Fla . . . La.... Fla . . . Ala... Fla... Fla . . . S.C... Fla . . . Tex... N. C. Ala... Kaus . 111.... Kans . Tex .. Tex .. Va.... Fla .. S.C... Mo. .. Ky .. Miss . D. C Va.... Fla. .. Ga.... Fla . . . Tex... Ala .. Fla... Ga... Fla. .. Va.... Ga.... N.C.. HI.... Ga.... Ky.... Kans . Mich.. S.C... Kans.. N.C.. Ala... Pa.... Mo. . . . Tenn . m.... Tex... Va.... Ohio.. Ind - . . Nebr. . Mo. . . . Ind... Ark... Fla . . . Va.... S.C... Kans . N.C.. Ga.... Mo ... women's silk culture association. 5 List of persons from whom cocoons were purchased during 1888-'89, etc. — Coutinued. Name. Address. Town. Miss Nannie G. Reynolds Mrs. Scott Brown Xiizzie Smith Edgar E. Farrett Mrs. M. A. Rogers MissM. P. Bailey Mrs. P. M. Kenner Do H. T. Harlee Mrs. A. J Mercer L. S. Crozier Miss Jennie Rosamond... Mrs. F. M. Case. Theo. Flentjen Mrs. Mary P. Jones Leon Paliud Mrs. MatliildeSchaeffei'. . Miss M. 1. Taylor Mrs. Lubrina Eads Mrs. Elizabeth Lawry Geo. H. Rice Mrs. Mattie Eiok David Jones Miss Flora E. Ralph . Peter Joseph Schraitz Miss Laura Chapman .... Mrs. J. E. Glailish Miss He.ssie C. Brown ... Nellie Fay Lottie Fay Mrs. A. I. Sherwood Mrs. C. M.Wilson Miss Elizabeth C. Frazer. Miss Mollie E. Miller Mrs. Minnie ("oruelius Miss Edith M. Hewitt. ... J. J. McCoy F. W. Schunjacher ' De Witt Miss L. M. Inoin Irwin Martin Mayer Conaiit John A. Richenbacher j Gahanna . Miss S. E. Howe ] Chambeisburgh Miss Bettie Hines : Defeated St. Marie Peach Grove Lindenville Greenwood Warreiisburgh . Ophieni Chalmers Franklin Mackinaw Appelo Chambersburgb Opelika Chillicothe Peach Bottom . Mauldiu Du Quoin SuTOuer Areola Paiuesville Bushy Creek . .. Areola Livonia Henderson ..... KeIation . . . Franklin . Sedgwick. Butler.... Wilson . . . Carroll ... Barren . . . Putnam . . Franklin . ...do Piescott. Paris Fayetteville Brightou ... Darlington . . Du Quoin ... Carbondale . West Plains Howell El Dorado Bartow <^'aig ■-. Erie Green Springs . Cross Kevs St. Mark " Forest Hill . . . . Lincoln Grassy Cove . . . Sprinsitown Palatka Granville Rapinsville Carthage Kirksville D wight Moravia Farlington Moore's Hill ... Sherburnville . El Dorado Goldsborough . Autun Wood burn Lane Colona Station Paris »,... Piqiia. Neosiio Lynns Highland Foristell Ind . . . . lud.... Ind. .. Pa Kans . . Kans . . Kans . . Mo .... Kv . . . . Fia ... Ohio... Ohio .. Woodson i Kans . . Mo ... . Ill .... Ind .. Kans . . Ark ... Ill Mo .... Ill S. C... HI Ill .... Mo ... Kans . . VU .... Ind. .. Kans . . Ohio... Nevada. Edgar Johnson ... Maconpin . , Darlington Perry Jackson . . . Butler Polk ■Switzerland Neosho Seneca Rockingham Sedgwick Sumner .... Lancaster .- Cumberland . Parker Putnam Licking Bates Jasper Monroe Livingston.. . Appanoose . . Crawforil Dearborn Kankakee . . Butler Wayne Anderson Maconpin ... Franklin Henry Ediia'r Miami Newton Rice Highland St. Charles. .. Va Kans . W. Va . Nebr . . Tenn . . Tex - - . Fla .... Ohio .. Mo ... . Mo ... . Ind ... - 111 Iowa . Kans . . Ind. .- Ill Kans . . N. C . . - S.C ... Ill .... Kans . . Ill Ill Ohio . . . Mo . - . Kans . . Ohio . . . Mo . - . . women's silk culture association. List of persons from whom cocoons xvere purchased during 1888-'89, etc. — Contiuued. Kame. Dr. R.B.Greenlee...,. Jamea C. Nagle .' . Mabel Caiupbell Mrs. H. V. Miller K.E.Miller Frank Graves Martin Moss H. E. Preston E.J. Trout Charles F. Groneweg. . . O. F. Stockman , M. W. Dare Fi'ed Josse Mrs. Mary E. Wood R. W. Armstrong Hattie Truman , H. H. Jeter jy^arietta L. Hearn »arah L. Jones Isabell Gregory , Mattie F. Ladtl Joseph W. Allen M. M. Minter E. Mackey Emily E. Lane Anna V. Moore , Mrs. George J. Ford D. L. Gibson , A. C. Coates Mary V. Asm an P.J.Lee Miss D. M. Crawford . . . Halley Steele , Henrv J. Blue Do Emma J. Sturm W. W. Sibcy Dora L. Haviland John Pablow A. Jane Ball Marv E. Boggs F. F'. Weld Eva Alden Gabe Mc. Brown J.M. McDaniel Mrs. S. J. Case Rebecca M. VVilson Mrs. M. A.. Maphet — James Hibbart Mabel Palmer E. J. Hardtner E. F. Cunningham Anna Kohler Anna P^airbanks Bridget Doyle Michael Simon Gustav Greding Sarah Acklin E.M. \V. Spear H.Blue J. D. Graham Vartan M. Donigiau . . - D. W.Rankin Mrs. IL J. Watson M.J.Carl Mrs. Helen Council ... William Smith L. W. Stranae Bessie R. Smith Irene Dunn R. E. Messersmith Catherine Vanderhoof. C J. Reed. Bula Wallace Norman A . Jay Martha Bradley Justus Babb P. J. Adams Address. Town. Conway Baltimore Grenola Jonesville Pierce City Nineveh Goodwin's Corner . Grant Park Feesburgh Dayton Lawrenceburgh — Newark Pinua Tnlla Canton Elmore Areola Hector Piqna Pleasanton Fredericktown La Crosse Leatherwood Pleasanton Sedowa Harrisonville . ... . Carlton Station Plymouth Brown's EvansvUle Coushatta Goldville Liberty Mills Mount S\ Ivan do Dana Loveland Janesvillo Lamar Cleveland Equality Sugar Grove Alaska Granby Peoria Sutton Three Mill Prairie. Xenia E. Bountiful Burlingame Pineville Glasco Chilo Holland Schuyler Tonngstown Upper Alton Newton Cardington Mount Sylvan Lane (Uncinnati Champaign New Orleans Monmouth Lexington Haz.leton La Fontaine Fredei icksburgh . . Gi-ape Vine Chambersbiirgh ... Nevrton St. Clere Bloom Steeleville Walton Nashville Montserrat County. Faulkner Fairtield Elk . Hillsdale Lawrence Johnson Union Kankakee Brown Montgomery . . . Dearborn Knox Miami Coles Lewis Ottawa Douglas Jay Miami Linn Knox Rush Henry Linn Sedgwick Cass Orle.ans Marshall Dallas Vanderburgh . Red River Laurens Wabash Smith ...do Vermillion Clermont Rock Barton Bradley Anderson Warren Kent Newton. Hill Clay Washington .. Bourbon Davis Osase Rapides Cloud Clermont Ottawa Colfax Mahoning Madison Jasper Morrow Smith. DeWitt Hamilton Champaign . .. Orleans Crawford. ... Hetidfrson Buchanan .... Wilson Spottsylvania Tarrant Franklin Jasper Pottawatomie Cook Randolph Cass Washington .. Johnson State. Ark . Ohio. Kan 8 Mich Mo .. Ind . . Ind . . HI ... Ohio. Ohio . Ind.. Mo .. Ohio. HI ... Mo.. Ohio. Ill ... Ind.. Ohio. Kans Ohio. Kans Va... Kans Kans Mo .. N. T. Ind . Ala.. Ind . . La ... S.C.- Ind.. Tex.. Tex.. Ind . . Ohio . Wis . Mo . . Tenn S.C-. Pa... Mich Mo .. Tex . Nebr Mo -. Kans Utah Kans La... Kans Ohio. Mich Nebr Ohio 111 .. HI .. Ohio Tex 111 .. (Jhio 111 .. La . . Kans Tenn Iowa. Kans Va... Tex.. Pa... Ill ... Kans 111... 111... Ind.. 111... Mo .. '. ight. Lbs. oz. 2 7 8 7 8 3 2 8 1 12 12 8 2 4 6 3 8 49 4 5 5 4 1 2 8 29 4 5 4 23 4 4 2 8 2 12 6 8 34 8 1 1 8 22 8 23 12 4 8 3 8 5 8 3 12 1 8 3 1 4 7 8 1 13 8 14 12 9 12 1 4 4 2 8 8 2 8 2 4 2 8 1 4 1 22 8 2 4 2 10 1 4 6 4 1 8 1 2 12 4 12 1 4 1 12 ? 4 4 12 4 8 1 4 13 3 4 & 2 3 29 9 2 11 0. 6 4 Value. 8 women's silk culture association. List of persons from whom cocoons were ^i-chased during 1888-'89, eic. — Continued. Name. Address. Town. County. State. E. Frank A. Jaqnins J. Gottlieb Scbatz Charley A. McKellips. Jane Watt E. L. Nelson K. T. Burnam E. Nichols Hannah Baird Sarah Lackey H. J. Blue Benjamin Powell Luther M. Watkins Sarah Campbell Sarah Johnson J. R. Martin Alex L.Gillespie R. Cotterman Dora D. Longmau C. Curdup "W. J. Nelthorpe Fannie Forbes A. Streby Baird Snyder M.I. Shively ^ Fred. A. Reynolds John A. Hogg Jennie Kinney Johannes M. Hansen . Mrs. CM. King John Shoemaker Mary Truax Jacoble J.W.Ducker John Ki'anse Ph. Schnoeder Mary Stevens Miss Emma Hughes. .. J. T. Du Souchet Nellie Sevier Jennie Kinney Sallie G. Wyatt Alfred Osbor n Clara E. Brown Sarah Lymeustall Dora M. Smith N. S. Duncan Laura Dare W.K.Nelson Christeann Stouder ... Mary E. Kitchen M. E. Kane John P. Thiesson Peter Fast Anna Walton Rosa C. Liggett Clara Rynearson Miss M . E. Kennon M. L. Van Voris . Robert Thomson L.G. Wilson Mrs. C. F. W. Haskins. E.G. Forward Gertrude Riggles J. B. Dickey Nina Grain Maitin Mayer M. E. Kars'tetter Miss Laura Biddle B. Decocijue John Lewis Charles Combs Martin Mayer Jacob Schumt-ir Anna Thiessen P. W. Thiesaen M.E. Palmer Hudson Hazel Green ... Amboy Westville Troy Sharon Marble Falls .. Neosho Falls . . Pataskala. ... New Bellsville . Mount Sylvan . Clifton . .■ Cedar Grove ... lantha Penfield Farlow Duck West Florence . Corwin Lottisburgh Burlington Concordia. . . . . Canal Fulton . . Carbondalo Frankfort Buda Shelton Mentor Grand Island. . Mokena Putney ville Greentown South We.st.... Mokena Jansen Yoxall Rio Grand Wabash Warsaw Veltier Mentor Poplar Mount . Norfolk Albany La Barge Menallen Baltimore Newark Augusta Newtonville . .. Shanghai Baltimore Jansen do Kowena El Dorado Union City . . . . Morristown Americus Burlingame. ... Parsons Petersburffh .. Spring Arbor M ashlngton . .. Newton Washington ... Conant Tipton Rossville . Purdy Miami Rossville Conant do Jansen do Aiken Lenawee Madison Blue Earth . . La Porte Madison Barber Burnet Woodson Licking Brown Smith Washington Montgomery Barton Champaign . Moultrie . ... Union Preble do , Franklin Calhoun Cloud Stark Jackson Ross Bureau Buffalo C mpbell Hall Will Armstrong.. . Howard Elkhart Will Jefferson Osborne Giillia Giles Hancock Sullivan Campbell Greenville . Madison Green Kent Adams Baltimore Knox Richmond ... Clermont Berkeley Baltimore Jefferson ...do . Audrain Butler , Rudolph Beltnont Lyon Osaae Aurora Dinwiddle .. . Jackson Washington . Harvey Wa.shingtou . Perry Moniteau Vermillion... Barry. ..i... , Saline Vermillion . . . Perry .. do Jefferson ...do Aiken Mich . Ala... Minn . Ind . . . HI.... .Kans . Tex... Kans . Ohio.. Ind... Tex... Kans . Md... Mo ... Ill .... 111.... Ga . . . Ohio.. Ohio.. N.C .. Midi . Kans . Ohio . . Ill .. Ohio.. 111.... Nebr. . Kv. .. Nebr. . Ill ... Pa ... . Ind... Ind... 111.... Nebr. . Kans . Ohio . . Va.... 111... Tenn . . Ky.... Va... Nebr. . Wis .. Mich . Penn . Md .. Mo ... Ga...- Ohio.. AV. Va Md - . . Nebr . Nebr . Mo . . Kans . Ind... Ohio . Kans -_ Kans .' Dak . Va.... Mich . DC.. Kans . D. C . . Ill ... Mo ... Ill ... . Mo... Mo... 111.... Ill ... Dl ... Nebr . Nebr . S.C... women's silk culture association. 9 List of per8on$ from whom cocoons were purchased during 1888-'89, etc. — Continued. Address. 1 Weight. Value* Town. County. State. Mo Mo Va Ill Md Mo Va. Mo Ind Lbs. oz. 20 13 2 6 10 1 14 3 12 3 7 4 5 12 14 8 12 $23. 52 C W Sykes St Louis 2.56 .80 Macoupin 1.91 4.50 4.17 Madge O. Weiiich Reliance. 5.20 14.53 Anna Garwood Boonville Warrick 8.75 Purchases of cocoons by States, fiscal year 1888-'89. State. Connecticut Mississippi West Virginia Wisconsin Utah Dakota District of Columbia Massachusetts Maryland Arkansas Iowa Kew York Minnesota Alabama Michigan Georgia Tennessee Weight. Lb. oz. 1 4 2 8 1 12 2 8 2 4 7 15 8 10 8 13 13 15 10 14 4 22 8 37 14 32 4 37 3 33 8 32 15 Value. $1.57 1.82 1.86 2.22 2.25 7.00 7.57 9.45 13.18 14.19 14.85 19.12 28.37 31,64 32.97 33.30 33.51 State. Louisiana Pennsylvania . Kentucky North Carolina Virginia Florida Texas South Carolina Nebraska Indiana Kansas Missouri Ohio Dlinois Total.... Weight. Lb. oz. 36 10 50 62 12 54 8 71 8 71 12 68 7 96 2 136 4 185 249 14 270 11 307 3 477 11 2, 421 9 Value. $34. 76 43.70 45.15 54.22 65.42 65.66 66.56 85.57 120. 21 176. 38 225. 66 229.26 265.87 404. 74 2, 138. 03 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 tlie same in the various channels of the silk industry, notably in the distribution of mulberry trees, the advisability of which plau was forced upon us by the fact that, in the tirst 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 oifered, 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 Asbociation of CTnited 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 dignitied 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, institutious, 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 attf^ntion 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 Moras alba and Mortis japonica, are clean, healthy trees, of large leaf, rapid growth, great age, and, most important, the product of leaves is of great commercial 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, % P^-eaident. Mrs. V. C. Haven, ♦» Corresponding Secretary. 10 women's silk culture association. 11 To appUcant-1 for trees to feed Mk-worms : In both of the appropriations made to the " Women's Silk Culture Association of the United States," 18^(i-'87, by Congress a stipulated sum was directed to be spent in aenidng, to those who desired to phint, the proper trees for the food of the silk-worm free of charge. Tiiis we did last autumn and the present spring, and will continue to do the coming fall. The same clause is in the appro[)riation 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 proi)er 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 caVe to perform its jtart if we are careful to perform ours, and its only proper and legitimate food is tlie 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 miich less impoverished than many other trees, its roots striking into the earth not obliquely but run deei)ly 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, tlie insect that apparently works only for man. The Morns 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 Morns alba has 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 is a tree of rapitl 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 out 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 strong 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 unsuitable to the taste of the horticulturist as inconvenient to those who gather the leaves. Jnne is the best sea- son for. preserving, when the j'oung twigs that are taken off maybe given to the worms. Trees can be raised by suckers, separated from th^i 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 small limits, but to any skillful farmer or tree raiser will suggest themselves. When Providence does anything for man, it is his duty toco-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 (Morusjajjonica.) The Morus muliicaulis 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 ]»lowing 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 sui)ply of leaves is to grow dwarfs. Set out the young trees from the nursery in rows l"i to 1.5 feet apart, and let the rows be 6 to 8 feet apart. Cut the tree down to about 15 to 18 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- poses The best time for planting 6nttings or trees is in either March or April. The cut. 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 fiimily 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 eyery 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 Moms alba, or white mulberry, and the Moms japoiiica, or Japanese mulberry, • are certain to produce the best silk, aaid experiment will only increase expenses and render the value of your crop uncertain. The Moras 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 in her 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 latitude 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 "golden tleece." Nature has done all she can for us; will a sound jtolicy 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 ISIO the sewing and raw silk of New Londou, Windham, and Tollaud 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 aie 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 w^hich the work is carried ou 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 oft' 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 a rule, keep back the first batching until the first leaves are developed sufifi- 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 buihliu<^. Early iu the spring, cover the hedge with straw or matting to protect it from the frost at uigbt. A small space is suffi- cient, as in their "tirst age" the worms require very litrle 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 iu pure cold water, and drying with a linen cloth, they can be fed to the early hatch (juite acceptably. Under the heading " Mulberry Leaves 9,nd 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." Tlie "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 occui>ied 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, aiul 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-giviug 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 every idle hand in his family and empty room of his house, by providing the silk-worius and the food for 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 car- riages and pack horses, loaded with raw silk, make their daily entry into Cambula, where silk of various textures are manufactured to an immeiise 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 eufficieut 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 Racks for the frames 5. 00 Ounce eggs (40,000) 5.00 One boy for four weeks 10.00 Man for two weeks 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 iu nearly every one ot 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. 14 women's silk culture association. The class of i)eople calculated for fhis industry, and among whom only it can take deep root, the agriculturists 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 ofl'er of trees with great satisfaction. "Vy^ehave experienced some diftieulty 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 gratitied with the quality and quantity of cocooons coming into the Pliiladelphia filature at this early date of 1889, as a slow and gradual improvemeiit. Many other stations for the jiurchase of cocoons have been opened, notably at the sericulture department at Washington, Kansas, and California, and we have much corresjjondence with these stations in reference to reeling their ])roduct, evidently with a view of having it done at less cost than they seem able to do it. In many i)laces 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. We are pleased to call your attention to the successful reeling of silk, on simple American reels, at the Philadelphia filature. We have this year 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 ai^e 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, largelj^ through the influence of this association, under the patronage of the Earl 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, I 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 eflbrt. 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 flowiug, 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 ctire 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 oi 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. Eespectfully submitted. Mrs. John Lucas. July, 18S9. Treasurer's report of the Women's Silk Culture Association, of the United Stales, 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 purposes." October 6, 1888, received from United States Treasurer, Draft No. 1(5010, Treasury Warrant, No. 652, October 4, 1888, $5,000.] n Hod. Jp:kemiah 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 53(5 pounds of cocoons used, yielding 104 pounds I ounce of silk. Received for sale of pierced and waste cocoons $334. 18 Received for sale of dress and Hag silk 791. 99 Cost of labor employed in reeling, sorting, etc.: Salary of superintendent • $480. 00 For reelers and sorters 1^90. 81 Engineer 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 : Purchase of cocoons 1 $1, 536.96 Rent, including steam-power employed 750.00 Repairs and incidentals to silk and reel room 64. 71 Purchase of trees and freight 1, 550. 32 Printing postals, circulars, advertising for cocoons 232.90 Postage 59.50 Experimental school at Fairmount Park.... 133.97 State exhibits, auxiliaries, etc 124. 25 Silk-worm eggs, Milan 13,80 Committee to Washington, D. C 27. 55 Weaving dress and flag silk 1, 1^51. 08 We have paid $1,536.96 for the purchase of 2,040 pounds and H ounces of reelabl,e, 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, Missoiu'i, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina Virginia, Utah. W^e have distributed 17,801 mulberry trees to 28 States, as follows : Alabama 25 Arizona 200 Delaware 350 Florida 1,115 Georgia 50 Illinois 100 Indiana 100 Iowa 25 Kansas 5 Maine 25 Maryland 775 Massachusetts 85 Michigan 125 Minnesota 50 Missouri 2100 Montana 50 Nebraska 11,200 New Jersey 500 New York 125 Ohio 175 Oregon 100 Pennsylvania 88 South Carolina 5 Tennessee 50 Texas 100 Virginia 113 Washington 75 Wisconsin 50 16 women's silk culture association. Instructions are given to any one choosuig 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, their 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 in the work, hoping to make it an industry for the children. Trees have been planted, and next year those in charge expect to experiment in silk culture. RECAPITULATION. RECEIPTS. Government Treasury $5,000.00 Accrued interest on same 65.99 5, 065. 99 Sale of Silk, etc 791.99 Sale of waste cocoons, etc 334. 18 Total 6,192.16 EXPENSES. Purchase of reliable, pierced and waste cocoons 1, 536. 96 Wages of reelers and sorters 390. 81 Salary of superintendent 480. 00 Salary of engineer 55. 00 Kent, with steam-power employed 750. 00 Repairs, incidental to reels, reel-room, etc 64. 71 Purchase of trees and freight 1,550. 32 Printing postals, circulars, advertising for cocoons 232.90 Postage 59.50 Experimental school at Fairmount Park 133. 97 State exhibits and auxiliaries 124. 25 Silk-worm eggs, Milan 13. 80 Committee to Washington, D. C 27.55 Weaving dress aqd flag silk 1,351. 08 Total 6,770.85 Respectfully submitted. Mrs. H. p. Taylor, Treasurer. FOURTH ANiNUAL REPORT OF THE LADIES' SILK CULTURE SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA. The Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. O. r In accordance with the requirements of law, I Lave the honor here- with to submit the annual report of the Ladies' Silk Culture Society of California for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889. Owing to the fact that the appropriation for the year did not become available until February, 1889, the operations of the society at its silk culture station were suspended during the mouths of August, September, and Octo- ber. On the 1st of November, as there was a pressing necessity that work should be resumed, arrangements were made by which the re- ceipt of the appropriation was anticipated with that end in view. This work consisted chiefly in sinking a well from which water might be ob- tained for irrigation purposes and for domestic use. Work upon this' well had been commenced the previous y^ar, as briefly alluded to in our last report, and had been pushed until a depth of about 50 feet had been reached, when operations were suspended without any avail- able supply of water having been reached. Soon after resuming this- work in November last, the difficulties encountered were such that the then president of the society. Dr. W. P. Gibbons, in accordance with the views of the board of directors, again suspended the work in order that the superintendent at the station might direct his attention to the care of the orchard. Dr. Gibbons having handed in his resignation as president of the board of directors, on April 4, 1889, Mr. W. B. Ewer was elected to fill that ofBce. By a vote of the board of directors, it was decided not to resume work upon the well, but to rely upon winter irrigation and more thorough cultivation for the growth of the orchard. The success which has thus far attended this experiment has been most eminently success- ful. The dry season has now fairly passed and the orchard never looked better. With more careful attention to winter irrigation during the coming season, it is confidently believed that it can be entirely dis- pensed with. During the past season, in addition to our experimental and usual routine work, the society has taken upon itself a portion of the work of the State board of silk culture. That association has for many years been in the annual receipt of an appropriation from the Cali- fornia State legislature, which was expended largely in purchasing and reeling the cocoons which were produced by the people of this State and in giving instruction in filature work. The last legislature passed the usual appropriation, but for some reason it did not obtain the approval of the governor. Soon after it became time to commence the usual work of hatching and feeding- 17 H. Ex. 110 3 15 WOMEN S SILK CULTURE ASSOCIATION. tliroiigbont tlie State, the State 'oosllfd issued circulars, stating that in consequence of the faihire to receive the usual appropriation, tJie board would be unable to purchase cocoons as they had heretotore done. Upon receipt of these circulars, many who had coiumeuced feeding stopped their work and destroyed their worms. At this juncture, the Ladies' Silk Society, seeing the disaster which would be intlicted upon the industry' if the feeding was stopped alto- gether, iuHuediately issued other circulars, ottering to take up the work of the State board in purchasing cocoons and advising those engaged in the business to continue their work as usual. Those who received the circulars in season did so, but the result has been quite a falling off in the number of cocoons |>roduced the past season. The assurance, however, which has been given that all proper encouragement will here- after be extended to the industry by our society until such time as the State board may be able to again resume its work will, no doubt, pre- vent any permanent detriment to the future progress of this interest- ing and useful industry in California. This work api)eared to the management most imperative, as it was evident to all that if such a step was not promptly taken, most of the work of the promoters of a new industry and most of the expenditure of both State and ]S^ational Government in that direction in California would have come to naught, and the imi)ortant and promising interest of sericulture would have been strangled in its infancy in the very lo- cality, of all others, where costly exi)eriments had proven it capable of being most readily carried to the highest point of success. THE WOKK ALREADY DUNE IN CALIFORNIA. True, the silk industry in California is still in its infancy ; but enough has been done to show that there are " millions in it," if properly con- ducted and patiently i)rosecuted. European silk culturists who have visited our State are unanimous and enthusiastic in pronouncing the conditions of California superior to those of the best silk regions of Europe for prosecuting this industry. Mistakes were made in the early history of the industry in this State which will not be repeated. But within the past few years much actual progress has been made and enough has been done to prove that, if our present efforts are continued, it will not be long before sericulture will become an established and profitable industry in California. It requires several years after a mulberry orchard has been planted before the trees attain sufficient growth to produce any considerable number of cocoons. During the last five or six years nearly or quite every agricultural county in the State has planted great numbers of mulberry trees — in some counties aggregating into thousands. During those years experiments, mostly conducted by women and children, by utilizing the few leaves which the young trees have produced, are such as to greatly encourage a more extensive feeding as the trees increase their leafy product. And now, with the further assurance that a ready market for the cocoons will be kept up, these trees will be more fully utilized, and a large increase in cocoons may be expected. THE SILK CULTURE EXPERIMENTAL STATION. The Ladies' Silk Culture Society, which makes this report and which is working under the auspices of the General Government, is making steady progress in its experimental work. The station for this work women's silk cultuke association. 19 consists of 15 :ilete success in silk culture all the provisions named should be carried out at the experimental station. Stations of this kind have long been established in all the large silk-producing localities of Europe at government exi>ense, and the fact is there uni- versally acknowledged, that without such aid the silk industries of those localities could not be kept up. The station at Piedmont is somewhat limited in extent, but much •can and is being done on that area. Hitherto our trees have not been sufliciently matured to enable us to carry on the work of feeding to the •extent and in the manner to accomplish the best ivsults. But the or- chard has now reached a degree of maturity which will enable us to at- tain better results in the future. The experiments of the present year, however, have been quite successful and complete, as will be fully shown by the annexed reports of the secretary and the chairman of the experimental committee. The exhaustive and scientific report of Professor liivers testifies to the diligence, skill, and patience with which he has done his important work. WILL SILK INDUSTRY PAY IN CALIFORNIA! As a commercial or agricultural industry on a large scale, conducted by companies or capitalists, we answer " no." As a home, family, or a cottage industry, we most emphatically answer "yes." Neither this society nor intelligent advocates of silk industry any- where in this country have ever claimed that it would pay when con- ducted on a large scale, as is pursued in raising cotton or wheat. Filatures may thus be carried on by cai)italists; but the raw mate- rial — the cocoons — should be produced as a family or a cottage industry. That is the way it is done in Europe. The business of producing co- coons should be introduced into families as an auxiliary to their slender incomes, whether on the farm or in towns and villages. It requires only a very small amount of means, just a little piece of cheap laiul planted with mulberry trees. After a little instruction it can be man- aged by any person of ordinary intelligence. Small boT»s and girls are quite competent to attend to the entire work of producing cocoons, as has been fully proven in numerous instances in this State. 20 women's silk cultuee association. It is well known that the business Conducted in this manner in France and Italy is a pay ins: industrj'. Experiments have shown that we can produce better silk in California than can be produced in Europe, on account of the superiority of our climate and the higher mental condi- tion of our people. Moreover the ingenuity and inventive spirit of our working people is always improving' on the worn-out and crude methods of the Asiatics, or even those of Europe. Our workmen and work- women are always quicker and more skillful than the same class of people in Europe. We find this especially true through every class and character of mechanical and all other producers. These manifold advantages, taken in consideration with the far cheaper lands and lower taxes in this country, will more tlian counterbahuice the cheaper labor of Europe, Especially is this the case when we projiose to employ only the labor of children and women in families who have no other employ- ment on their hands at the time. In pursuing- this industry we do not propose that a da.\'s labor shall be taken from the farm or vineyard. All the work of producing cocoons may be done, especially in this State, at a time when the farmer and his boys have nothing else to do, and when the household labor is at its lightest. / Stock companies organized for silk culture and managed by agents, clerks, overseers, and large forces of hired men or boys have almost or quite always failed in Europe, as well as in this country. Neither this society nor the consistent advocates of silk culture anywhere through- out the United States have ever HELD OUT FALSE HOPES as to great profits and immense fortunes being realized from the industry. Those in this State and elsewhere who have opposed the encouragement of silk culture by State or national governments have done so without due knowledge or consideration of the methods pro- posed hj such promoters of the industry as have looked carefully into the subject, and acted upon mature reflection and careful consideration. It is confidently believed that whoever will read this report thoroughly and carefully consider all the conditions, advantages, and consequences involved must come to a firm conviction of the fact that silk culture can be made to pay in this State and in many other portions of the country as well. THE MORAL AND HUMANITARIAN ASPECT OF THE INDUSTRY. We have thus far confined our observations to the pecuniary i)hases of the industry under discussion. Let us now i)ass in brief review its moral and humanitarian aspect, which is believed by many to be of the highest importance to the welfare of any community in which the in- dustry may be practically established. Silk culture is essentially an educational industry and the one best calculated to help on the great humanitarian work of bettering the con- dition of poor and needy families and providing easy and profitable work for the women and the younger members of such families. It is es- sentially woman's work. It is elevating in its tendency. In all Euro- pean and Asiatic countries where it has been introduced it is studiously made elevating and respectable, as well as profitable. In France it is made a part of the education of every young lady, whether in the com- mon school, the academy, or the convent. It is countenanced and made women's silk culture association. 21 popular in many countries by the exceptional and warm interest taken in it by well-to-do ladies who move in the highest and most retined so- ciety, not excepting- even royalty itself. The object of all this islargely humanitarian. '' There are so few indus- tries in which women, children, and iufum persons can })rotitably en- gage," says a writer, '• that this enterprise would seem to be a godsend to them." There is no hard work about it. Every man wIjo owns a little patch of ground can ])lHnt a few mulberry trees upon it. They will arrive at a reasonable state of maturity in four or five years with very little care or cost. That done, let the industry be handed over to the women and children of the household. Three or four persons who may have nothing elst- to do can then take up the work, and in four or five weeks earn what will contribute materially to the prosperity and hap- piness of the family and home. Ifi)oor, it will well pay the husband and father to help his wife and children to earn a few dollars in this way ; if not in need of such earnings, such an exami)Ie of thrift and in- dustry will tell upon his less fortunate neighbors and largely add to his own aujj the ha[)piness and prosperity of the neigijborhood. Let sucttj *i course as this become general, and bye and bye an in- dustiy will be built U[) in the State ami nation which will rank among the leading industries of the country and add thousands and millions annually to the aggregate of wealth. Silk culture in Europe and Asia has long been one of the chief sources of income of those countries, and there is no reason why our own country should not share in such a benefit. We owe something to our children, and the generations which are to succeed them. There are thousands on all sides who are crying out " give us work." Shall we heed the cry "? The opportunity is pre- sented to provide an industry which, if properly established aud dis- tributed, will prove of incalculable benefit to our country. Shall we let it pass unheeded! There is a strong tendency to indolence in our State. It is an alarming fact that too many of our young people of both sexes are growing up in idleness. This con«lition is already be- ginning to bear fruit of a m ist noxious kind, and it is only by prompt and great exertion that we can check it. This state of things appeals most earnestly to Christian charity and effort. Idleness is the root of all evil. Grive our young people something to do and they will cer- tainly make better women aud men than if allowed to grow up in idle- ness. There is room for thousands of families to engage in silk in- dustry. Three or four thousand persons in the country spending fo'ir or five weeks in the year raising cocoons will give permanent employment, all the year around, to as many persons in the city who may engage in reel- ing, spinning, and otherwise preparing the raw silk tor domestic use. Did the reader ever think what a vast amount of good such employ- ment would do in this citj' of San Francisco? The following paragraph api)eared several years ago in a city i)aper. The picture, it drawn to- day, would be a much darker one. We quote as follows: "Our hood- lum feminine element, which ap|)eals to and should shock the most cal- lous observer to the effect that if Christian charity of churches could be brought to know the dark side of our social panorama, many a dollar that now goes elsewhere would be devoted to the reclamation of Amer- ican evils that are sinking into the blackest perdition under the very shadow of our steeples," and much more of the same kind. The picture is a truthful one. Now the training of girls for technical industry, the introduction of 22 women's silk culture association. • our boys and girls iuto new avenues of profitable work, would change the cliaracter of the picture and give us, instead, additional thousands of haj>py homes and useful men and women. Where is there an industry better calculated to afford just the em- ployment needed to bring about such a result than that of producing silk ? But it must not be forgotten that it will be the small producer who will make California a silk-i)i()ducing State. Silk will never be produced in this country until the farmers' families take hold of the business in earnest, and that without any thought of making fortune* out of it. Let them be satisfied with such small sums as from ten or twenty dollars to a hundred or more. a(;cording to the number engaged, all earned in the short time of thirty five or forty days when the labor on the farm and in the household is'at its lowrittino of Tin- old strvks with imiiroved sD'fs of mulberrips would make rlmstaMnii at I'ii^d M.mt a more s'lii.i'.le ))l:i(e to (miiv oh silk culture. The stove, too. i-i 11 iT ;iT ;iP sii i t,i M ;• r )r lieilin^' i» iii) ses .lu.l f>r regulaiiug U!iiii>eratiire for the ciilii\ atioti of the Nilk-worm. 24 women's silk culture association. The worms began spinning on May tbli 20tb, being 32 days in going through their changes, a period that was slightly prolonged by irregularity in the food sup- ply. The weight of the cocoons I do not know, but they are at the Piedmont Sta- tion .awaiting the order of the society as to their disposal. The cocoons that can he reeled are contained in twelve pasteboard boxes covered with green paper and marked "Piedmont Station, Silk Experiment, lf^89." The size of each box is the ■same, 14 by 12 inches. The pierced cocoons occupy a white pasteboard box measur- ing 24 by 12 inches, and the flossings are to be found in a brown pasteboard box of the measure of 20 by 9 inches. The above mentioned are all at Piedmont. I now place in charge of the secretary of this society a selected assortment of two hundred <;ocoous agreeable to the order of the committee on silk culture, for the purpose of "being forwarded to Washington for inspection. Of course these two hundred repre- sent a higher grade than the general bulk, but though they are selected they are not necessarily better than many of those forming the general stock, for these were not <3ulled from all the others, but simply represent the lirst two hundred good ones that ■came to hand, and there remains iu all probability a thousand others that are equally good in quality. Besides the above I retain for the museum of the university a small exhibit of about fifty examples, and I bring with me to-day the few cocoons that formed the experi- ment of killing by anhydrous hydrocyanic acid. EGGS. The stock of eggs for the society's use or order was made in accordance with the instructions of the committee, and a little beyond. The committee came to the con- clusion that an ounce of eggs would be sufiicieut for the next year's experiment. These are contained in 200 bags, a selected pair of moths in each bag, being the pro- ducers of about 50(1 eggs. Besides the above-mentioned eggs I set apart for experi- ment, a number of double cocoons, and fiuding that double cocoons yielded very healthy looking moths, I paired a number of these nu)ths and caused them to deposit their eggs upon huge surfaces of line muslin. From the line condition of these inyects I believe them to be in ev ry way good for breediug purposes for the production of silk, the moth being perfect iu forin, without the deformity of crippled wings, and appeared to be iu general good health. The amount of eggs thus obtained may be three ounces and from examination under the microscope I find these eggs from double cocoons to be free from disease. FEEDING SILK- WORMS. The silk-worm having been under domestication for centuries and frequently reared under uunatural conditions, it is not surprising that diseases are freely in- duced among them. The worms in nature have a completely free system of. sewer- age, feeding as they do u^ou twigs, and, elevated from the ground and iu contact with no accumulated refu.se, they must have immunity from many of the forms of disease that are generated in them while under domestic treatment. Herding a large number of worms upon a horizontal plane is entirely opposed to the methods adopted by nature, for she sup})lie8 the worms with varying resting- places at all possible angles, where excrement of every kind fall freely to the ground 'without any contamination to neighboring worms. I think that trial should be made of feeding upon twigs after the first moult, and Tvhen twigs are unobtainable and leaves alone available that netting on frames should always be substituted, that theexcremeut should be free to fall to the ground. METHODS OF DESTROYING THE LIFE OF THE CHRYSALIS. Several methods of killiug the chrysalids were tried for experimental purposes. It was found that five minutes was sutiScient to kill- iu dry steam when the layer of •cocoons was only two deep, but ten or fifteen minutes was found necessary according to the depth of layer of cocoons and also the amount of saturation. Carbon bisulphide proved a A'ery effective method, using an empty coal-oil can, ■which nearly fill with cocoons, and place on the top of these a cup with a piece of spimge iu it, upon which pour an ounce of the bisulphide, and close the can by means •of paste and paper and let remain for twelve hours. Anhydrous prussic acid (hydrocyauir) proved most powerful, and consequently quick iu operation ; but it being dangerous to the user and causing decomposition to vegetable stains, that occur more or less upon cocoons, and chnnging these stains into a permnuent bhick dye, tiie use (tf liiis Mcid is not to be recoiunieuded, hhongh it juiiilit be atlvaiil.-infons to do so vlici: tiie .--ilk is to l)e dved black. women's silk culture association. 25 SPECULATIONS UPON A NEW VARIETY. During tlie selection of the moths that were to produce eggs for future experi- ments there were large numbers of examples that pQssessed only rudimentary wings. These examples were rejected and thrown out as being unworthy of reproducing their species. After I had destroyed tbem I thought my action in the matter was a mistake, and that had I thought of it in time and have selected a number and made a distinct experiment results might have proved an advance in silk culture. These forms of both sexes were in the enjoyment of good health, and differed from the others only in having very short tippet-like wings, that could not aid in navigating the air, and which condition was brought about, no doubt, by continued domestica- tion inducing a terrestrial habit. The loss of the powers of flight may be exchanged in the increase of silk, and as there is no waste of force in either seeking mates or food, both being supplied under domestication, an entirely apterous (wingless) variety of silk- worm might be the outcome of judicious selection. Among the group of insects that silk-worms are classified with are two or three genera of species that possess these tippet-like wings, but the wingless condition occurs only in the female ; the male flies freely about, while the female remains always at home. The loss of a power through the nouuse of that power is not a new theory, but the condition, as 1 mentioned before, already exists in some near allies of this silk- producing race of moths. The examination of the parent moth and eggs belonging to this experiment not having been completed has been made the subject of a supplementary report. Very truly, J. J. Rivers, September 7, 1889 ' Chairman Experimental Committee. SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT. To the Ladies' Silk Culture Society of California : I beg to report the result of the miscroscopical examination of the "200 pairs of par ent moths selected from those belonging to the silk experiment carried on at the sta- tion at Piedmont during this present season of 1889. The object of the society was to make a good and careful experiment not only in the production of good cocoons but also to acclimatize certain varieties of the silk- producing moth Bomhyx Mori, so that the society could distribute healthy and robust eggs to those cultivating the silk industry in California. The experiment in this respect has proved satisfactorj'. Of a total of 200 pairs {200 males and 20i) females), 180 pairs were found to be perfectly free from disease. The remaining 20 pairs exhibited some bacterian bodies that resembled the disease explained by Pasteur as chain-ferment and which he considers the cause of flaccidity and which is supposed to be engendered by the use of fermented leaves, there was no appearance of pebrine or any other disease appertaining to sericulture but the one mentioned above. During the experiment Mr. Benton discovered some unhealthy worms which he considered flaccidity and which made its appearance soon after feeding the worms with transported leaves. Of course those diseased worms were destroyed as soon as found, but others unperceived, because only slightly affected, passed into the moth state to be discovered only under the microscope. Though the parent moths of these 20 pairs exhibit the disease called flaccidity, yet an examination of their eggs does not disclose any appearance that would even suggest disease, but ou tbe contrary were healthy looking in every particular; but as the parent moths show disease their eggs must be rejected. I beg to report the above for the consideration of the Ladies' Silk Culture Society of California. Respectfully, yours, J. J. Rivers, Chairman Experimenlal Committee. 26 women's silk culture association. Ladies' Silk Culture Society of California, in Account with Department of Agriculture — credit by hills j^aid. [Statement of expenditures during Dr. Gibbons's term of oifice.] >a 90 91 92 93 94 95 95a 95& 95c 95d 95e Wg 95h 100 101 102 103 103a 104 105 106 Date. 1888. Aug. 2 Aug. 2 Aug. 2 Aug. 2 Dec 6 Dec. 10 Dec. 10 Dec. 10 Aug. 2 Dec. 6 Dec. 6 Dec. 6 Dec. 6 Dec. Aug. July 1889 Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. To whom paid. Otto Hagland Daniel Reardon Mrs. L. E. Pratt W. G. W. Harford do Otto Hagland Puget Sound Lumber Co — Frank Halley William P. Gibbons Mrs. L. Pratt -. do do do "William P. Gibbons J. B. Vasburg V.S.Northey "W.G.W. Harford... Blaire Pierce & Co J. D. Southwell Charles -f. Welch... Baker & Hamilton.. Mrs. L. E. Pratt do do William P. Gibbons. Alameda Bank W.G. W. Haiford... Total Items. Labor at station do Salary as secretary, July Salary and board of laborers do Labor at station Lumber Shoeing horses Balance on sundries Salary as secretary, August Salary as secretary, September - Salary as secretary, October Salary as secretary, November.. Balance on account rendered. .. Sundries noted in voucher Ironing well.bucket Salary, etc., noted in voucher ., Sharpening picks, etc Giant caitridgps and caps Examining well Feed Pole, pick, and handles Postals and postage Salary as secretary, December. Salary as secretary, January . . Board of horses and telegrams. Discount im note Salary at station Amonnt. [Statement of expenditures during Mr. Ewer's incumbency, ending June 30, 1889. J 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 136 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 1880 Apr. 4 Apr. 4 Apr. 4 Apr. 4 Apr. 4 Apr. 4 May 2 May 2 May 2 May 2 May- 2 May 2 May 2 May 2 June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6 •June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6 June 6 June June June 6 June 6 1 William P. Gibbons Statement brought over , do Board of horse Mrs. L. E. Pratt Salary as secretary, February . . . W. G. W.Harford Salary at station Mrs. L. E. Pratt i Salary as secretary, March Samuel A. Luce ! Salary at station M. L. Gray Plowing, hire, and feed of te^ms. Mrs. L.E.Pratt ; Postal-cards and postage do I Salary as secretary, April Samuel A. Luce j Salary at station L. E. Benton Tending worms Mrs. L. E. Pratt | Stationery, stamps, and cards. M. L. Gray W. B. Ewer do Samuel A. Luce. L. E. Benton Mrs. L. E. Pratt W. B. Ewer N. S. Thompson Pierce & Co i Hard Harrowing and cultivating. Supplies at station, noted in voucher. Cocoons and espresaage Salary at station, May Tending worms • Salary at secretary, May Supplies noted in voucher Drug poison J. Fisher. M. Wright Otto H. Putzker F. A. Leach C. W. Howard Mrs. S. Spratt Mrs. J. B. Babcock Mrs. L. Nilson Miss Hattie Robinson . Mamie E. York Mrs. B. F. Ohriger Mrs. Mary F. Walker. Miss Davenhill Miss Evrlyn Craig Mrn. (j. K()«,-< Miss Lizzit^ lloUins...- B. C. Pressli-v Mis. G. W. Kullrr .. . Batley Drayage to station Labor at station Cocoons Drayage of cocoons at station. Cocoons do do , do do. do. do. do. .... .In d.> . a.) do do WOMEN.S SILK CULTURE ASSOCIATION. 27 Ladies' Silk Culture Societij of California, in account with Department of Af/riculture — credit hy bills paid — Continued. a a 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 Date. 1889. June 29 Juue 29 Juiif 29 June 29 Juue 29 June 29 Juue 29 June 29 June 29 June 2 9 Juue 29 June 29 Juue 29 Juue 29 June 29 Juue 29 June 29 June 29 June 29 June 29 June 29 June 29 June 29 June 29 June 29 June 29 June 29 June 29 June 29 June 29 June 29 Junn 29 June 29 Juue 29 June 29 To whom paiil. Mrs. J. Lucas Piof. J. J. Kivers Samuel A.Luce Mr.s. S. A. Sellers Alameda County Mia. L. E. Pratt Columbus P>ugs;y Co C. Cliaiulierlain Miss O Abraius Miss E. n. Bijielow Henry Hasnrd Miss Lizzie Cakebread .. Mrs. M J. Wells K. B. Williams FiMucis M. Bastian Mrs. S. E. Hathaway A. Aanew ' Mis. C. B. White J. Fi.sher Mis. D. Fike Mi.ss Nellie Turner Puget Sound Lumber Co. Prof. J. J. Rivers Mrs. L. E. Pratt M. Ban- Samuel A.Luce Felix Gillet Mrs. H. B. Churchman... Charles Blair Boaqui Enjiraving Co John Irving Katie J. Collier Prof. J. J. Rivers H. H. Everett Miss Jane Uodd Items. Amonnt. Instruction book Experimental work Salary at station, June Cocoons . . . Taxes Salary as secretary, June Buggy and harness : Flossing cocoons and board of laborers Cocoons do Total do do do do do.. do do do Contract for feed - Cocoons do Contract for 1 umber Microscopical work Supplies for Ex. noted in voucher. Horseshoeing Freighting cocoons to st;ition Mulbeiry buds Cocoons Labor contract Printing contract Cocoons do Boxes for cocoons Coroous do $1.10 50.00 65. no 40. 00 44.50 ;)0. 00 110.00 18.00 63. 70 8.40 4.30 5.50 5.00 5.00 9.00 26.00 4.50 5.75 50.00 13.00 50. 50 103. 07 75.00 5.00 2.00 2.90 6.00 .70 54.60 50.00 .50 1.50 1.25 1.00 1.00 2, 500. 00 RECAPITULATION. Paid by Dr. Gibbons $729.35 Paid since, as per voucher 1, 770.65 Tot.nl - 2, .500. OO Received from Government 2, 500. OO Examined and found to be correct. San Francisco, October 15, 1889. R. J. Trumbull, Edward Bosqui, Auditing Committee. REPORT OF JOSEPH NEUMANN. Washington, D. C, December 31, 1889. Sir: I bave the honor to present herewith my report upon the sub- ject of the native wild silk-worm, as required of me by public act No. 116 of the laws enacted in the secoiid session of the Fiftieth Congress, whicli reads as follows: AN ACT making an appropriation for tlie Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, and for other purpoaes. For the coutinuatioji of the study and experiments by Joseph Neumann of the wild native silk^.vorm of California, two thousand live hundred dollars, to be jiaid directly to said Joseph Neumann; and the said Joseph Neumann shall report the renulle of such work to the Secretary of Agriculture on or before the first day of January, eighteen hundred and ninety. r also submit with this report a number of cocoons, being samples of a quantity obtained by me, the result of experiments made during the past year. These cocoons are in themselves convincing proof that the wild silk-worm discovered by me in California in 1884 is really valuable and its cultivation promises beneficent results. In continuing my study and researches 1 visited Santa Clara County, ■Cal., in the early i^art of the year, and also Mount Hamilton and the surroundings of the Lick Observatory. Unfortunately the season was late, the weather cold and generally unfavorable and the worm could not be found there. I then visited other sections of the State, *^specially Sonoma County, where I had found the wild silk-worm in former years, but also with poor results, for I discovered but a few of them. The reason for their scarcity in this neighborhood was dis- covered in the fact that curiosity-seekers wanted specimens of the worm, and a large number of people, especially boys, had been hunting and doing a thriving business in them. The same condition applied to San Francisco, where the worm used to be found in large numbers. Fortunately I had quite a number of live cocoons of the wild silk- worm in my possession, which i)assed through the process of breeding. I was thus enabled to put large numbers of young worms on bushes of the wild holly, both in the open air and in jnclosed rooms. Those in the rooms I fed on branches of said plant, the stems of which I kept in water, and in that condition they remained good food for four or five ■days. While the worm would be better preserved in a room than in the open air, it has been demonstrated that it is hardier and thrives much better in the open air. This wild silk-worm is the only one, so far found, whose culture in the open air is successful. It feeds upon a species of " Cascara Sagrada," or wild holly, that grows in great abundance throughout the more temperate regions of California, indigenously, and can be produced 28 women's silk culture association. 29* successfully from the liiie of Jacksou Couuty, Oregon, to Xew Orleans, where the altitude does not render its growth impracticable. The same climate and conditions requisite to its growth can be found in many portions of Arizona and New Mexico. The limite«l time that I have had for making experiments has rendered it impossible for me to deter- mine what the best and surest plan will be to ])ropagate this plant upon which the wild silk-worm feeds — whether by transplanting the scions in an orchard or grove, or from the seed. This important fact must be de- termined by experiments made in the proi)er way when sufiticient time is allowed for the proi)er tests. But as the "wild holly" grows abun- dantly and indigenously all through the region of country adapted cli- matically to the ])roduction of silk, I do not hesitate to say that the plants can be easily and successfully produced by either method. The season through which the wild silk-worm can be successfully worked is from two and a half to three months. Later in the year, the latter part of September, 1 exhibited the food plant, live worms, and cocoons raised during the past season at the fair in Sacramento, Cal., held by the state board of agriculture; and 1 may add that the exhibi- tion attracted general attention of a very favorable character. The cocoons produced bj' the wild silk-worm, as demonstrated by the samples submitted herewith, are in reality silk, and they are precisely of the same kind as that which originally came from the East Indies' and which in its manufactured state is known under the name of " pon- gee" silk, and has grown to be a very large factor in commerce. Thou- sands of bales are annually exported from the East Indies. In former years it was not much used, the French alone utilizing it for "chop," which means a short-fiber spun silk. They became more valuable in this country when the Messrs. Cheney Brothers, of Connecticut, and the Messrs, Riley, of Paterson, N. J., began to use the short fiber for spun silk. They are still more valuable now, as a machine has been invented in France for reeling the cocoons into long fiber, the same as the mulberry species. A skein of the long hber is submitted herewith for proof. If the fiber of the native wild silk-worm cocoon were good only for spun silk, or if it were even only fit for the manufacture of fine paper, the discovery would still have to be classed as a valuable one, but as reeled it is nearly as valuable as mulberry silk. I have never claimed and do not now claim that the texture of the fiber of the native worm is equal to that of the mulberry species ; but it certainly equals the silk of the East Indies, audits production can not fail'to be of immense benefit to this country. The culture of the mulberry species on the American continent, which was first attempted about two hundred and thirty years ago, has so tar comparatively few results to show because of rhe ^reat op|)Osition and competition of foreign producers; but the culture of the native worm promises rich rewards in the immediate future if properly cared for by the Government. For further information as to my work in developing the wild silk- worm of California 1 refer you to the jihotographic view taken of the worms fed by me last season and to the live cocoons, as well as the cocoons of the previous year's production, together with the observa- tions of the press of California, whom I invited to witness my opera- tions ; all of which will be found in the office of the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture. I most respectfully recouimend the establishment of two experimental stations in the State of California ; one of them should be located on the Government military reservation known as the Presidio, in the city 30 women's silk culture association. of San Francisco. It was in the vickiity of this reservation that the wild silk-worm was first discovered in the year 1884. The reason why I advocate the establishment of a station here is that there are still a great many plants in the immediate vicinity upon which the worm feeds; but Uiey are bein^ uprooted by the owners of these lands, who are preparing the latter for sale as building lots. It would not be very expensive to transplant them to the Presidio for i)reservation and thus provide food fur the worms. A second station should be established in the interior of the State, where the season is earlier and wliere no fogs interfere with the culture of the worms or with the experiments. In my opinion the cocoons produced in the interior of the State are somewhat heavier than those produced in the city. The season is so much earlier in th^ interior that the work there could be completed before the hatching season begins at San Francisco, where the climate is ujuch colder, so that the same laborers could perform much of the work at both stations. By the results of the experiments on these two stations would be demonstrated the financial value of the culture of the native wild silk worm. I most respectfully call your attention to the bills on the subject for the development of silk culture of the mulberry species, introduced by Hon. J. M. Mitchell, of Oregon, in the Senate and by the Hon. W. W. Morrow, of California, in the House of Representatives. They are la accordance v. ith my views and ideas for the promotion of silk culture. Your most obedient servant, Joseph Neumaisn. Hon. J. M. Rusk, Secretary of Agriculture. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 002 842 896 6