The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-06
Communications

FOR TUE MADIsoNIAN.
ON THE CULTURE OF SILK.
We learn from recent British journal that the
Deputaton Of Silk Manufacturers and ourneymen
Silk Weayers, which waited few days ago upon the
Marquis Of Normandy, through whose hands spe-
cmens of British manufactured Silks were conveyed to
the Queen for her Majestys approval, informed
that il was her Majestys intention to patronize a
fancy dress ball. in May next with the object OF Civ
ing enc engagement to the production of British manu-
features The trade has been in depressed state for
some time past
This is laudable example Of public spirit, which il
would be pleasant to emuated by the heads of our
Government and the Legislators of this great Repub-
lie; not exactly by patronzing fancy ball. but by
giving reasonable encouragement to silk growers,
manufacturers, &c. in this country
Let it be borne in mind that in England no Silk is
raised the climate, from frequent experiment has
proved TO be too humid for the growth of the useful
little insect to whom indebted for the silk tex
turc. All the Silk that is reeled or woven in Eng
land, is imported, and yet we find that even under
this disadvantage, it is considered valuable article of
trade, and worthy of the countenance of Royalty
the growth of the silk worm than that of Italy, our
counrymen inferior to in industry and inge-
nuy, and yet few, comparatively engaged in this
valuable culture, destined day to be SO important
to the wealth of our Republic
But why should it not promptly become of our
commodities Our real imaginary W ants have
grown to such an extent that positively need a
new product. By the annual official returns Of our
finances, we all that imports far exceed our
exports and yet few countries have more internal re-
sources than ours.
What national advantage would it not be, (to say
nothing yet of a successful cxportaton) could we
by producing own silk, keep in our country the
twenty millions of dollars annually spent in the i'm
portation ofthe ariicle2 In few years with encou
ragement, this might be done.
Some, will exclam impossible
Wages here are too high. Ii is perhaps known to
very few, what kind Of labor necessary cocoone
Try or filature There are thousands of destitute chill
dren, white and coored from six to ten years of age
who now do nothing, and who would willingly gather
leaves for or Scents per day; feeble women without
number with whom sitting from morning till nigh
plying The needle docs not agree, who would gladly
be relieved by the light work of cocoonery for the
small compensation of12 Is cents, and many more
employment at ALL and who for trhe, would answer
IN cocoonery or filature well as the most capable
and robust. We are told that in France lame men
and women who cannot walk, wheel themselves from
shelf to shelf rolling chains, scattering leaves
the worms and changing the hurdles, thus obtain
ng employment in the cocoonery, wnen by their mis-
fortunes, deprived Of finding it elsewhere. In fine, il
appears to that the culture of silk up TO the weaving
thereof is peculiarly designed for tho.e who in
capable of doing any thing else, and consequently fol
those who now idle, and who will ever so remain
unless this new product kindly rallies to their
1t is true that cocoonery, well laturc need.
judicious superintendent, who, if employed, be
well paid it is not exactly snecure to make others
work and do their duty The owners, however OF
these establishments, would show wisdom by dspen-
sing with superintendent, except indeed, that afford
ed by themselves, their wives daughters; they
will be better served than when served by them
selves, or those identified with them, by family ties
The qualifications necessary for good superintendent
Of cocsonery nothing extraordinary, good CON-
mon sense observation industry and perseverance,
ALI having the first the rest can easily be acquired
many idle children, and feeble men and women, who
cannot work in the field stand greatly in their own
light by negecting to plant mulberry trees on their
lands and erecting in the midst thereof rough,
cheap cocoonery BY these feasible means those little
oilers would only be kept out mischief but would
be made to support themselves and the men and
women freed from many an hour of discomfort by an
Interesting and lucrative occupation. Their young
mistesses of ID or l6years ofage, would make admi-
rable superinendents of cocooneres and reelers of
silk. Indeed the production of silk designed
for female hands, and in every period Of history it
and particularly that of Queens and noble ladies'
With great pomp and ceremony, the Empress of Chi
ma in presence of an immense concourse of people,
every year, gathers leaves and feeds silk worms
in order 10 encourage her subjects to 60 on in the cu
ture of article very important to the wealth of
the Celestial Empire
The Legislatures of several -four States have offered
bounties domestic silk, but yet nothing has BEEN
done to encourage it by the General Government
May not sanguinely hope that, with the counte
next session, will take the subject into consideration
In this very District under the fostering hand of the
Executive, and the liberal protection of Congress won
ders might be effected in this important branch of n
dustry. A PATRIOT.
WASHINGTON, April 6, lS41
Mr.. ALLEN | would most respectfully suggest