Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-01-11
SILK CUITTRF.

BlsincSs IN the United .St0tcS-We believe it will,
IN very few years, and shall offer some reasons
which incline to that belief. First, our soil and
climate are both well adapted to the growth of the
Mulberry, and the rear 1g of the Silk Worm. The
experiments of the last few years have put it beyond
the shadow of doubt that the Mulberry grows
uxunanlly IN all the States from Maine to Louisi-
ana, and the Silk Worm has been reared success
fully in the Atlantic and most of the Western States
and Territories. These facts prove to a demon
stratlon the practicabiy of the thing. But can it
be done at such profit, induce any consider
able number of people to engage in the business 3?
Undoubtedly 1t can, and we shall lay before our
readers some considerations in proof of the posi-
ton. First, 1t can be commenced with very little
capital, which puts it within the reach of nearly ALL
twenty dollars or even less, expended in the pur-
chase OF trees, will enable any person who has
land, to make pretty fair beginning; and they
ere cultivated with so much ease, and multiply so
rapidly, that but very few years need intervene be-
tore they can have an ample supply of their own
raising for it certainly is no more expense to raise
Mulucaulls Tree, than it is to raise stalk of
corn, and with this advantage, the Mulberry yields
proht IN few weeks from planting, whereas it
takes four months bringa crop of corn to maturty
1t is to be fairly presumed that almost all of our
Farmers and Mechanics who have land, have some
spare room in their houses or out buildings, which
can be convenient devoted to the feeding of worms
during the warm season, when stoves and Their
mometers are not wanted, and any person of COM
mon ingenuity can construct hurdles or frames
convenient to feed on hence it is that a very tri-
ling outlay Is sufficient to commence the business
with, and which may be increased at pleasure, as
experience Is obtained or interest prompts. Thus
twenty dollars Tor trees and three for eggs with
IN the reach of almost any one, and this is one rea-
son which induces to believe that many will en-
gage IN the business. Another reason for our be-
let Is the shortness of time required 10 produce
O MI ncrip Of GOp, 4 f.
weeks from the Matching of the worm to the spin
nlng OF the cocoon. A third reason we shall offer
is, that females children, and persons in feeble
health, can perform all the labor of picking the
leaves and feeding the worms. 1t is therefore OBJ
vlous that this branch of industry will afford rich
blessings to large class of community who must
otherwise be dependent upon their relatives or 9TH
ers. Other and very weighty considerations must
present themselves to every rejecting mind.
The immense consumption of silk in our country
which is continually increasing with the increase of
our population, and IN much greater ratio, and
which will prevent for at least half a century, the
market being glutted or the business overdonc.-
The encouragement given to this branch of bust
ness by legislative enactments, which, in many of
the states particularly Own) is nearly or quite
sufficient to cover the cost of production will in
duce many to engage in it to large extent; and
when they have engaged in the business, it will be
found too lucrative to be rcllnquished Add to this
we have for expectation, and that England on
whom we mainly rely, for the consumption of that
article is fast supplying her factories from her own
colonies, and will shortly do so to the entire exclu-
sion OF our staple, these facts we say, will induce
many OF our Southern planters to turn their atten-
ton to the culture of silk
No branch OF agricultural industry has vet been
attempted in this country which promises so much
benefit to the female part of the community. Let
us compare the feeding of worms with some other
kinds of female employment. II Is fact proved
by actual experiments in numerous cases, that a
healthy female, say from / TO 20 years of ace, can
gather the foliage and feed 10000 worms at one
crop, with perhaps the assistance of a child 10 or II
years of age to help to gather the leaves the last
week OF feeding, and here must be understood
to mean the Muucaulis Mulberry is used, as the
gathering OF leaves from the White Mulberry is
not only very slow operation but not profitable
to use IN feeding silk worms. Eighty pounds of
Multicaulis leaves will make one pound of silk,
and can be gathered by child in three or hours.
OF the White Mulberry it takes l4O pounds of
leaves for one pound of silk, and which will take
almost day to gather them. Here we see the
superiority of the Muncaulis over the White Ital-
ian Mulberry.
The time 'upicd in feeding worms varies from
four to six weeks, according to the kind of worms
fed, as there are great many varieties of worms
to test assertion; we will first take the Supher
kind $4,000 OF which, provided they are well fed
and managed right, will produce H. bushels of CO.
coons worth 81 cash per bushcl, making 800 for
weeks labor; from which, deduct 80 for board and
So for assistance, and have clear profit of $40
Ii the French peanut kind are fed, (Which is the
most proftabe) the profits will be one-third more,
as they generally finish their abors in four weeks,
and produce one third more Silk to the bushel.-
Good cocoons of this kind will sell for S. per BUSH
In this amount do not include the premium
given by the State, which the Sulphur kind will
4 Al.
Now compare these results with the profits otsChOO
teaching, for instance. A young lady goes into
District School for : months at twelve shilhngs per
week (Which however Is more than the avera ge
price for teachng) her wages will amount to $50
for twenty weeks. Thus we see double the sum
can be realized by feeding worms SIX weeks than
can be obtained by teaching % weeks. Or shall we
supposa girl goes out TO service a year at 81 per
week her wages will be Sl2, which is IS less than
the other gets for 5 weeks feeding worms evil
add one more case and see where the advanta ge lies
A young female goes into a Cotton or Woollen
Factory and by patient industry and some toll she
obtains So per week it is obvious il will reouire 20
weeks to accumulate the profits of six weeks feed
ing silk worms. Thus see clearly that the silk
Culture has decided advantage over every other
branch of female industry. These facts are be-
coming known, and people will soon turn their at
tention to this subject. Markets are now open for
cocoons in various parts of the L. :. anda good ar
t;cle will al all times command cash at a fair price
The duty lately imposed on Foreign Silks, will
have tendency to advance the price and increase
the demands for the domestic article--hence it is
plain new impulse will be given to this staple
Add to this the experience and practical knowledge
which has been gained the last few years, and we
have another reason for believing the business will
become permanent. In short in whatever light we
view the subject, 1t presents a favorable aspect
our soil and climate congenial, citizens are
industrious, ingenious and enterprzing, and shall
we. an Independent Nation; continus TO pay 20 mil
lions annually to orel gn countries for an article we
can produce ourselves Chat0que co. 'StthJournal