number of Virginian bottoms it was said that at least ten pounds could be obtained, and the care of the worm and the manipulation of the silk were so much less expensive, that the Virginian silk-maker could afford to sell one-third more cheaply than his English rival. The egg in the Colony was hatched in nine days, while in England it required nine months for the insect to make its appearance. In one month the Virginian worm had reached its full development, and in forty-five days was spinning a sill, so strong in its texture, that it could be extended in a line for several miles without danger of breaking. The estimated production to a man and boy was sixty pounds, the only tool they required being a twelve-penny reel; the freight was necessarily small, as five hundred pounds of silk occupied in a ship the space filled by only ten pounds of tobacco.[1]
In spite of the enthusiastic hope of this charming advocate of silk culture in Virginia and her disposition to promote it in a practical way, and in spite also of the example which was set by Digges and other wealthy and influential citizens, no real progress seems to have been made towards its general development. The Assembly, in order to induce the Armenian George, who was probably one of the two men who were brought to Virginia by Digges, to remain in the Colony, and to devote himself to the production of silk, gave him four thousand pounds of tobacco. As an additional means of fostering interest in the industry, some form of special encouragement being found absolutely necessary, it was provided that a very
- ↑ Reformed Virginian Silk-Worm, pp. 25, 26, 33, Force’s Historical Tracts, vol. III. It is very plain that the ordinary caterpillar of Virginia was at first mistaken for the silk-worm. The statements given in the text, in the form of a synopsis, are interesting as showing how exaggerated were many of the early notions as to the capabilities of Virginia.
