Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1835-05-25
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CuLruag AND MAsuFAcruRr or SILK.
AlblnY. April I, 1895
TIE SAMUEL NJ. HorKtNs, Esq

Albany, April 7, 1885.
TIC SAMUEL NJ. HorKtSs Esq. !
Genera Ontario county,
From a long acquaintance, and, as believe, a
reciprocal esteem and friendship. | have thought
tina, | could not better employ leisure hour, than
in addressing you on n topic which regard rs Of
high importance 10 fellow citizens. You will
no. suspec, M of insncerlty or nattery, when as
sure you that know man, whom believe TO
have more enlightened views, or nore ardent pat
rolism than you. Hence the proprleiy Of my Sc
Letting you correspondent on the interesting
subject which proceed TO state.
Since 1880 my attention has been drawn to the
consideration OF the culture OF silk this country
asd particularly in this State. am perfectly sat.
isfod that agricultural pursuit will bear any
comparison with the culture Of silk, regards pro-
til. should not want be ter income than the clear
profits of an orchard of white mulberry trees, of
twenty acres Of ten years old--The clear nett pro.
fits of such an estate would not fill short from
$4,000 TO $4,000 annually and this profit would 90
on increasing with The growth and the prcdnc
tyeness of the trees.
You have seen a communication made by me 10
the commissioners appointed by the Governor, 10
examine into the economy, government, and dscp.
line of the State prison, " hich has been published
not, however, extensively. It contains some mat.
ter irrelevant to the culture of silk, and oms some
enterprise. You must have observed as II statist
that our annual import of silk amounts 10 the value
of Sl0O00000, and will increase with our wealth
and population. This amount far exceeds tho val
ne of all ouv sread stutfs exported. This consdcra-
ton ought to excite as to the inquiry whether such
drain from the resources OF the country cannot be
prevented, and new of industry opened
which shall in short period supply our own wants,
AMI enable us TO become exporters of either raw
silk or silk fabrics
consider it fact demonstrated that our soil
aud climate is genI9l 10 the growth of the mulberry
tree, ard the culture Of silk Trees of this descrp
ton ere already growing and furnishing in yarous
paris of the State, and presume that the portion
this State from Skeneutaes to Like Erie. is recu
z iafly adapted 10 tho mulberry from the fact lha
the most delicate fruit trees come 10 great pcrfec
ton within that region, Since lf6e the silk worn
has been reared IN Wndham county Connecticut
which is about the latitude Of Albany The cnl
tufe oi silk has been successfully prosecuted in tina
county and it has reached TO large amount, Tn,
following is an extract from the DAILY Advertise
OF the 18Th instant. AWeJican .SRk-R,w SiIk
We learn from the Burlington Free Press has beer
produced his year in Mansfield Connecticut. Il
The amount OF over $50 900. Tie county of w ind
ham, Connecticut, produces five tons of silk annual
lY valued at 5000 900 and if reeled would be worth
double The sum" II this tie true and that it is sub
aantaly true fully believe the question is settled
that HE soil and climate of this State is genial II
the culture of silk. 1t sctcs also another question
that 1t rs much the most profitable business that can
be undertaken
We have the testimony OF Mr.. D'Uomcrguc. Il
man born at Nsmes, in France, and brought uu
from infancY TO the rceng and manufacture of silk
haa VINO came 10 THIS country on the recommenda.
ton OF the late James Blown, then Minister in Pa
rIs who asserts IN his essays that he was surprised
10 hnd me American SILK superior IN quality and
the quantity yielded by the cocoons, to any he ev
or saw Bui, my dear sir, could you have seen
specimens of American silk exhibited in this city a
lew days since, manufactured by Mr.. GAY all doub,
would be removed These specimens wcto pro
houneed by The many who saw them to be equal
If not superior, 10 any silk which had ever been seen
here.
Now, sir, what are the impedimcn,s TO be over
come, IN introducing the culture of silk extensively
IN ms State And here let observe that there
no uahSer OF OVERRIDING the business there will
always be demand in England for all we can
raise beyond supplying wants where. from
the humidity of the climate other causes, the silk
Is not reared.
II is necessary 10 devote small space of 90 N
ana FERTILE ground as nursery in which TO sow
Inc seeds II Is computed that one ounce of seed
properly sown, after the ground is thoroughly
ploughed, or dug and narrowed or raked and sowr
IN drills, at about three feet apart will tive about We
thousand young trees They require to be kept free
from weeds, aud injury from cattle Attwo wears
OF age they are generally fit for placing in an or.
enafo al 'hs distance of fromseven Twelve feet,
alright anglos-and here, the labor of man term.
mates All the subsequent culture may be conducted
by women and chdren. They pluck the leaves
and feed and len tho worms until the cocoons are
formed; so that you perceive the culture Of silk de-
tracts nohug f,om agriculture.
The create embarrassment hitherto has been the
extracting OF reeng he silk from the cocoons. The
reels OF France AMI Italy, ind indeed ef all parts
OF me world receive lie thread, which consists Of
'he i'"es "t several eoroons, according 10 the re.
iffe,nfd OF lh' tdbflc to b. made, in skens, which
nlisl be ssOofd b lore il car lie twisted Tra of
our coanrymen, Messrs. Gay aud Mose,y. have
insenied el which receives the thrc I'D ON snools