Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-02-24
@. O..
Culture OF SILK IN THE U. STATES.

From the Letter of the Secretary of the rrea-
sury on the growth and manufacture OF SILK, we Sc
ect the following particulars respecting the various
attempts towards its cultivation IN the United States
This subject as well the cultivation OF the vine,
NAV hereafter proftably engage the attention OF
our agricuturists though, notwithstanding the EN-
enlargement of premiums and bountlcs, these at
tempts have been attended with very partial sue
cess.
They were first commenced in Virginia, where
the attention of the settlers strongly directed
to this subject by the British government. SILK
worm eggs, white mulberry trees and printed in
structions were sent over and King James the
First, finding he could not iurce the silk culture at
home hoped for better success in Virginia, which
he was very DESTROYS should raise silk instead OF to-
bacco, the latter being a weed" which brings many
disorders and inconvenences.'' Tobacco, however
seems to have had complete triumph over its rival
though the latter had all the encouragement OF roy.
al favor. Acts were passed declaring silk the
more profitable commodity for the colony; and
premiums as high as 10000 pounds OF tobacco, Of
fercd to such as should prosecute the silk trade
worms and plant trees. This system OF rewards q
penalties was pursued till 1866, when further sta
tutary provisions were declared unnecessaryn con
sequence of the of various persons in this cu
ture. They were, however, reviewed three years
afterwards but from 1863, the interference OF the
government seems to have ceased. MAJOR Walker
had. in 1864, 1000 trees growing. The eastern part
Of the state abounds in white mulberry trees. The
Secretary hopes that the people of Virginia will see
their interest in renewing the culture OF silk.
Like means taken to produce silk IN Geor.
eia on its settlement in 1888, lands being granted
to settlers on condition that they planted hundred
white mulberry trees on every ten acres. 10 keep
alive the idea Of the silk culture. there was on one
side of the public seal representation al SILK worms
with an appropriate motto. In 1859 the colony eX
ported upwards of 10000 lbs. of raw silk. which
sold 9 or 3 shnas pound higher than that OF any
other country. Notwithstanding this very encour
aging circumstance, the last parcel OF silk brouSh
from the country to Savannah, was in 1890. oiIl
of like rood quality, was produced in South Car
ona, having according to the testimony OF 81
Thumas Lonbc the eminent silk manufacturer, Il
much strength and beauty as the silk OF Italy. I'm
culture disappeared however IN like manner.
Even in the more northern climates of Pcnnsy
vana and New Jersey, the attempt was made ant
continued for several years, DR.. Franklin highly re
commanding it, and subscriptions to some amour
being set on foot for its encouragement. iil tn
imported white mulberry trees were tit Tor use, tn
worms were fed from the native mulberry tree
Some further atemps have been made during tn
last three years, the former association having bee
put an end to by the Revolutionary war. The Sec
retary SAYS, the memory Of MIR. Nathaniel Asplr
wall deserves to be held in everlasting and gratef
remembrance. for the thousands of white mulberr
trees planted in New-York, Pennsylvania and JeI
seys.
In Connecticut the culture of silk commenced
in 1850. The legislature granted bounty OF te
shings for every hundred trees planted, and pr
served for three years. and three pence an oun'
for raw silk. This culture is still continued. as
we'll known in Connecticut. In the vicinity
Mansfield, So three or four tons of silk are made a
nually.'' Some silk has also been made in 9th
New England states, in New York, Ohio and he
lucky.
From 1855 to 1772, several hundred pounds ste
ling, were paid to various persons in Georgia,
Carolina and Connecticut, in the way of premium
for the culture of silk by a society in London
s the production Of Arts SC. &c.-Bahamt
american.