RAISING SILK-WORMS.
DURING the past few years there have been several articles in the INSTRUCTOR in regard to silk_ worms, which have told some things about their appearance, habits, and the use to which they were put:
But perhaps it never occurred to any of our boys and girls that they could raise silk-worms. At any rate, you may be interested in hearing of the experience of a young girl who has tried it successfully for several years.
When only thirteen years old, Nellie Rossiter, a little girl living in or near Philadelphia, thought she would like to try raising silk-worms.
The first year she raised only three hundred, but so good was her success that before she was fourteen, she received a diploma from the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society for "excellent quality of cocoons and silk."
She has continued in the business, raising each year from one hundred thousand to one hundred and fifty thousand worms, and selling the silk and eggs obtained from them. Though now but seventeen years old, Miss Rossiter is quite an experienced silk-grower, and has published several editions of a little pamphlet on silk-culture.
A few weeks ago we received from this young lady a little box containing a hank of silk wound from cocoons by her this summer.
The silk is of a bright orange color. The box also contained five cocoons of different colors,—white, pale pink, straw color, orange, and pale green.
The cocoons are about one inch long, and measure about an inch and a half around. We wish that every one of the INSTRUCTOR boys and girls might see them, as they are very' pretty and interesting.
Miss Rossiter is very much interested in silk- raising herself, and thinks it may be successfully carried on, in a small way, at least, by any energetic boy or girl who is willing to give time to it.
She offers to answer all questions, or give any information desired to those who are interested enough to write her, inclosing stamp for return. Perhaps but few who read this may care to go into silk raising as a business (though it is said to be very profitable), but doubtless many of you will like to raise a few worms for the amusement and interest of yourself and friends.
Let any who want to know more about it, address Nellie Lincoin Rossiter, Sixty-first and Vine Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., and be sure not to forget to enclose a stamp, if you want a reply. 1883
E. B. G.