Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-03-27
THE SILK CULTURE.

Surprising our readers may feel some
curiosity in regard 10 the ai,emp, so spirited
y made to effect the introduction ofthis i'm
pcr,an, staple into the country. we copy the
following extracts. which appear 10 emyody
the lates. movements in this matter. and will
show the position in which the matter a.
presen, stands. !, will be perceived that its
friends continue to be quite as sanguine in
their views as ever. All that we can say
is we hope their expectations may be realized;
for. il welI-lounded. they will certainly be
Of immense importance to the country.
In the Senate OF the United States, Janua-
ry %. 1910. Mr.. Clay said che ,hough t
there was no subject more worthy OF consid-
erntion than the introduction and culture OF
silk. |, could be produced every where !;
its production was confined TO no particular
section OF the country. Even in its raw
state il could be made valuable as an article
of export" Speaking OF the unexampled
distress which had been. and was still broo-
ding over the land. distress growing as
well out OF domestic rs Of foreign causes,
Mr.. c. remarked ut was mos, important that
domestic industry should be sustained. The
truth was, we ought 10 make more at home-
make i in every way-in agriculture. in
fabrication, &c. In the one article Of silk
alone we imported to the value Of twelve
and halfmIlions. Now. il there was any
article Of luxury and ornament for our race,
il was silk and when we found that il could
be produced here almost to an unlimited ex-
tent, he conceived that il ought to receive
the protection Of the government, No ma.
ton could long stand where her exports fell
short some forty or fifty millions short Of
her Imports
The following extracts are from, Mr..
M Leans speech in the Capitol at Wash
'ington. on the 18th December. 1899 and il
should be borne in mind that Mr. Nj Lean is
NOT only most conscientious throughout in
uii his statements. but that his estimates oil
the profits Of the business are the very
lowest that have ever been made public,
and therefore the more fully TO be relied on.
The raw silk produced by Mr.. NIL was on
the table before the speaker and gave great
force to his arguments. After showing that
though we might produce bread.stuffs 10 an
unlimited extent, il will not be received in
payment OF foreign balances against US, and
that cotton. tobacco. SC. were inadequate, he
said
The only hope Of diminution ofimports
is home production We must produce. for
home consumption. some important articles,
and in this way lessen imporiatons. or we
must produce something largely for export.
that will balance our account cnrrpni with
other nations. Once more. | ask. where
shall we turn Tor relief2--wha, shall we
produce2 Plainly. whatever il is. i, ought
to be something which WE largely consume.
which will command high and ceriaia
market abroad. and which our whole country
can produce, And what article. | ask. is
this7 You anticipate my answer, | fear
lessly affirm. in my deliberate judgement,
the production OF silk alone will meet the rx-
igency Of case Silk must become a
great national staple in america, il we
would secure and perpetuate individual and
national prosperity. ,asgsna
: But should we even prodnce this article.
TO fsciee orer the extent Of our own wants.
. ready foreign markr, is open for all that
we can produce Of the raw material, al most
liberal prices, England alone, where lies
most Of our Indebtedness. manufactures silk
probably 10 greater extent thar, any other
nation, Her manufactured silks amounted.
last year. TO the enormous sum Of $4,000, J.
000 What a splendid prize is this for
which 20. contend And of the 5ey nrlielss
sheeopsuwed. nearly Or quite $1,000, 0O0l
worth and lhewholc Of This large supply
must be drawn from abroad, England gan
nor produce the raw sjlk. She. has made|
repeated attempts bu, owing 70 the huinidi-l