The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1884-06-25
THE FLORIDA AeR1CULTuRIsT.

below, received by Mrs. AIuguet from
Mrs. Ellen Call Long, of the Woman's
Silk Culture Association of Philadelphia.
We cheerfully give place to the same.
Mrs. Long writes Mrs. Muguet some
points on the topic, viz: that when CO.
coons are stified and perfectly dry, which
will take several weeks to accomplish,
the WIS. G.. A. will purchase, paying for
them according to the yield of silk to
the pound of cocoons, and not by num-
bers or size, or variety of cocoons. The
| Quantity of silk is ascertained by reeling,
FOR which they pay from 40c. to $1.l5
per ID. for cocoons, and from 15e. to 40c.
for pieces and waste 10c, for floss,
which must be removed before sitting.
Ship in coarse bags, and prepay charges.
Writing MAY 31st at is too late to
ship eggs now. We have millions of
tiny worms, the journey to Florida is too
long to send them. Mrs. VIM. Quincy
Moates, of Palatka, writes me she has
a second crop Matching. The Proximity
would make it possible for you to trans
fer some on leaves. u don't know that
she wishes to partwith them. Tell your
friends they must start earlier in the
season next year; but in the meantime
they can be cultivating the mulberry,
and that must be inquanties before they
can make money. The mulberry grows
rapidly.
1.-THE w. S. G. A. will not receive CO.
coons until September or October. Ship
in coarse bags. Shippers and the asso-
citation have often been losers by parties
sending heavy boxes, the contents of
which will not pay expenses"
1t occurs to US, and the suggestion is
fully in accord with the benifcent spirit
in which w. S. G. A. is established
that it would be well for neighbors to as
sociate in the production OF cocoons, and
to complete the work by manufacturing
the silk at home. Reels, as is stated,
can be bought from the Association for
associations, on a small or large scale
The manufacturers of the silk would
afford complete instruction to the produ-
GERS, and give them all the profit attach
ing to the product when ready for the
loom. When it is known that of the con-
sumption of the United States now, one
half is American silk, the incentive to the
home industry is very great.
OFFICE OF WoMEN's SILK CULTURE Asso-
CITATION, No. 1928 CHESTNUT ST.,
PHILADELPHIA, May 18th, 1854.
Owing to the large correspondence OF
the Association and the delay of answer
ing letters, we take this means of reply
ing to those questions most pertinent to
the subject at issue, the cultivation of
silk in the United States.
The first sep in this industry is to
secure food, by planting the Mulberry
tree, II they are not already convenient
to the place OF operation. The white
is recommended as best, but
other species are sufficiently good.
The Usage orange is also good food and
makes marketable silk. All good CO.
soons, either whole g. Or pisEesssd llMSl aha e
while the industry is being established,
and the returns small, the Association
will receive all quantities and sell on
commission, at per cent.
Reels are in operation at the Office,
and good reel will be sold through the
Association for from 500 to $75.
Good reeled silk is worth from IS to Sc
per ID. 1t takes about four pounds of
good cocoons to give one pound of silk
Trees can be planted by seed, cuttings,
layers or rooted shrubs (from one to
three years old of the latter.
Orders must be sent during the winter
for spring planting, and during the sum-
mer for autumn planting, so that we can
in time for shipment.
This industry is recommended as an
auxiliary employment to agriculturists or
those similarly situated. tits healthful
and adapted to women and children, and
though not now largely remunerative, it
helps the slender income, but no specu
lative spirit need hope to grow rich on
this industry.
The raising of cocoons instead of eggs
cannot be too strongly urged. Eggs will
not be purchased by the Association from
experimentalists as the indiscriminate
sale of INFESTED eggs will permanently
injure the silk industry in this country.
Silk can be raised in any section of the
Union, where the mulberry will grow,
and that will thrive wherever the apple
or Indian corn flourish.
\ Revised Book of Instruction" on
the cultivation of trees and the rearing
OF silk worms, is for sale by the Associa-
ton at 81 each, or So per half dozen.
Express or freight charges must be
paid by the shipper, unless specially ar
ranged otherwise.
Respectfully,
Mrs. V. G. HAVEN,