I do not, however, notice this report on account of its grammatical and entomological mistakes. It is because of the evil effects it may, and probably will, have on amateur silk culturists, that I notice it; for most assuredly, failure will be the result of all attempts to produce silk cocoons by feeding the caterpillars of the different moths on the food prescribed by Mr. Warren. Any patriotic, money making farmer, who believes in the _Tribune_, purchasing _Yamamai_ eggs and setting his worms to feed upon mulberry, which they refuse to eat, and consequently, all die, will probably give up silk culture as being nothing more or less than a humbug. And thus the cause is injured.
For several years past, I have made some experiments in the rearing of the silkworms, giving the result of my experience in the first year in Vol. II., page 311, of the _American Naturalist_; and of a subsequent year in the _Entomologist_, for November, 1869.
The paper in the _Naturalist_ is devoted to my experiments with the ailanthus silkworm, _Samia Cynthia_ (G. & R.), a naturalized species from the East. In that paper, I have said all that is necessary to say at present, on that species, except perhaps that I am further convinced, from the inspection of samples of sewing and other silks, made from the cocoons of _Cynthia_, that one day it will be reared very extensively in the United States. It is perfectly hardy, is double brooded, and may be reared by any one possessed of a few acres of land, which may be good enough for growing ailanthus trees, but not good enough to grow any thing else. The labor of a few old men, or women, or even children, is sufficient for the purpose. The cost is therefore trifling.
The objection to the cultivation of _Cynthia_ is that the cocoon cannot be reeled. But it can be carded, and if the Chinese can make excellent silk goods from it, why cannot we? I suspect, too, that _Cynthia_ silk can be worked in with cotton, or, perhaps, woolen goods, adding to their beauty and durability (for it is indestructible in wear), and thus open up branches of manufacture hitherto unknown.
For manufacturers of coarse goods, I have no doubt that the silk from our native silk moths, _Cecropia_ and _Polyphemus_, may be used. Indeed, I believe that M. Trouvelot is of opinion that _Polyphemus_ may fairly enter into competition with _Bombyx mori_, the ordinary mulberry silkworm. The worm, however, is rather difficult to rear.
