New Additions to my Equipment.

Silkworms and mystery of silk was kept secret by the Chinese. Only when silkworms and cocoons were smuggled out of China was Silk manufacturing understood by the "Western" world.
More information at:
everythingsilkworms.com.au/silkworms/history-of-the-silkworm/
www.projectbly.com/blog/how-the-secret

www.thoughtco.com/silkworms-bombyx-domestication-170667
"People today make fabrics from the fibers produced by at least 25 different species of wild and domesticated butterflies and moths in the order Lepidoptera."

I have collected nothing about the actual farming and production of silk in the colonies, but I do have a very interesting report from mid-18th century about an organization in England trying to encourage it. Silk was only one of several items for which they offered rewards for development.

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The Pennsylvania Gazette
August 10, 1758
From the LONDON MAGAZINE for April, 1758.
For the Advantage of the BRITISH COLONIES, the following Premiums are given by the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

[details of the Premiums and requirements for Logwood….Olives….Pot ash….Safflower....Wine]

Silk in Georgia. The production of Silk, in the American colonies, being undoubtedly a proper object of encouragement, as it must tend greatly to the advantage of those colonies, and prove highly beneficial to the mother country, by promoting a very valuable branch of its manufactures: In order to forward the same, by such bounties as may operate in equal proportion to the benefit of the poorest, as well as the richest planter, the society propose to give, for every pound weight of cocoons produced in the province of Georgia , in the year 1758, of a hard, weighty, and good substance, wherein one worm only has spun, 3d. for Every pound of cocoons produced in the same year, of a weaker, lighter, spotted, or bruised quality, tho'one worm has only spun in them, 2d. For every pound of cocoons produced in the same year, wherein two worms have interwoven themselves, 1d.

N.B. The premiums will be paid under the direction of Mr. Ottolenghe, superintendent of the Silk Culture in Georgia , to every person who shall bring his balls or cocoons to the public silature at Savannah, according to notice already sent to Georgia.

Silk in Connecticut. For every pound of cocoons produced in the province of Connecticut, in the year 1759, of an hard, weighty, and good substance, and wherein one worm only has spun, 3d. For every pound of cocoons produced in the same year, of a weaker, lighter, spotted, or bruised quality, tho' only one worm has spun in them, 2d. For every pound of cocoons produced in the same year, wherein two worms are interwoven, 1d.

N.B. These premiums will be paid under the direction of the Rev. Mr. Thomas Clapp, and Dr. Gerard Ellit, of Connecticut, on condition that a public silature be established at Connecticut, under the direction of the said gentlemen; and that each person being his or her balls or cocoons to such publick silature.

Silk in Pennsylvania. For every pound of cocoons produced in the province of Pennsylvania in the year 1759 of an hard, weighty, and good substance, and wherein one worm only has spun, 3d. For every pound of cocoons produced in the same year, of a weaker, lighter, spotted, or bruised quality, tho' only one worm has spun in them, 2d. For every pound of cocoons produced in the same year, wherein two worms are interwoven, 1d. These premiums will be paid under the direction of John Hughes, and Benjamin Franklin, of Philadelphia, Esqrs. on condition that a publick silature be established in Pennsylvania, under the direction of those gentlemen; and that the balls, or cocoons, are brought to such public silature.
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Spence

Wow, Spence,

Got a real kick out of the quotes on how much they offered depending on whether one or more worms spun the cocoon and as the quality of the cocoon.  Thank you.

Gus