MANUFACTURES. THE HE promoting the growth of Silkworms, and producing Silk in England, has long been an object of the Society's attention; and several rewards bestowed, in hopes that, in time, that valuable infect might be naturalized to this climate; and a new branch of Manufacture, and in confequence a new employment for women and children, found in this country. From the Papers of Mrs. WILLIAMS, Mifs RHODES, and the Rev. Mr. SWAYNE, printed in the preceding Volumes of these Transactions, little doubts remained of the practicability of breeding and rearing those infects in England. And this year fuch indifputable proofs were given to the Society, by the production of five pounds weight of excellent Silk, and a number of the cocoons (which, in the judgment of every one who has examined them, are in general larger, heavier, and of a fuperior quality to any feen before, and the Silk as good as can be produced in any country whatever), that it should now seem nothing is wanting to the establishment of this long - wished - for bufinefs, but the planting mulberry-trees for the food of the Worms: and this, there is reafon to hope, will be accomplished, several Gentlemen in the SouthWeft parts of England propofing to make the trial on a large fcale. Samples of the Silk, and fome of the cocoons, are referved in the Society's collection; and it appeared in evidence to the Committee, to whofe confideration this business was referred, that Silk can be advantageously produced in England: and it was the opinion of the claimant this year (Mr. Salvatore Bertezen), that this climate is better adapted to the breeding Silkworms than Italy itfelf; for he believes the great heats of Italy are much more detrimental detrimental to the Worms than any fogs or moisture of this country. The five pounds of Silk, which was the quantity required to be produced, was obtained from twelve thousand Worms; and each thread, when wound, confifted of seven or nine fibres. Many Certificates having been produced, corroborating the above, the GOLD MEDAL was adjudged to Mr. SALVATORE BERTEZEN, for Silk produced in England. Mr. Bertezen, at the time of rearing these worms, lived in Kennington-lane, Surrey, where the Silk was wound off. |