Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1843-02-18
INDIANA LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
IRON THE INDIANA JouRsA

being called up
Mr.. FOULkE said, from the indications Of
hostility to this bill when II was Introduced no
had but little expec alton that II could pass this
House, but he hoped upon mature reflection, gen.
tlemen had changed their views upon this subject,
he hoped that a measure called for by petItions
from the North, from the Eas', the South, and the
centre Of The State, signed by several hundred
citizens OF Indiana, would at least receive a de-
Iibera,e consideration. As this subject Is one
which No yei has ed but little attention from
the people Of Indiana generally, tits possible, II
10 very probable, that many Of the members on
this floor may be less acquainted with that branch
of domestic industry which this bill designs
encourage, than those persons upon whose petit
tions il was niroduced-and from that lack of
general and intimate acquaintance Of the people
Of the State with the growth and manufacture OF
silk, | am aware that this, like all other new
branches Of business may have TO contend, If not
with pre- JUDGES, with degree Of Indifference in
regard to the matter, which presents equal diff
cul'ies IN the way Of Its successful operation u
Some gentlemen say 1t is worse than useless to
attempt to foster a business which they conceive
can never be made 10 produce any beneficial re-
suits; that our soil and our climate both forbid II Z;
while others Of the opinion that the silk busi-
ness is able, amply able TO sustain itself. But he
said il was his opinion, and il the opinion Of
tho petitioners for the measure. that IN the pres
ent stage Of that business in this State, neither
OF these Jews are correct lie said, TO the
growth Of silk, from the experiments. already
made IN this country, II bad been proven TO the
satisfaction Of the most credulous iha. not only
tho climate Of own State, but that Of niue b
mors northern ATTITUDES is adapted to its growth.
In Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massa-
chuseits and New York, together with every 9TH
State in the Union, silk has been grown. but
much the largest amount in Connecticut, Massa-
chusetts and Pennsylvania. He said according
IN, al IN han 10 q
upon the subject, there was raised in the United
States ia the year 1910 about 900 pounds OF
silk cocoons, nearly one half of which was the
product Of Massachusetts alone, while IN Indiana
the product was only 500 pounds. These facts
provo concusiveiy that the climate and soil OF
this country is not o barrier TO the successful
prosecution Of this branch Of domestic industry.
In regard 10 the manufacturing OF silk fabrics
he Informed that in many Of the States silk
factories were this time IN successful operation
and even in our own State, in Richmond, Wayne
county, where ne resided, there was silk facto
~ in operation which is now furnishing silk goods
equal, quite. TO any similar articles OF foreign 'm
por,alion Of the same price. He said the silk
velvet vest he had on was manufactured IN Rich
mond from silk grown in that place, the whole
process OF feeding the worms, reeling, spinning
weaving and coloring was all performed in tina
place; he also exhibited a vest pattern Just taker
from the loom, Of very beautiful silk velvet; also
a silk pocket handk erchef and some sowing silk
all manufactured at the Same place, and quite
equal 10 any ign articles of a similar kind -
These specimens must prove TO the satisfaction
of every member on this floor that silk may b.
not only grown, but manufactured into goods, il
this State, that will compare with fabrics of any
other country in the world. The question iher
occurs why ask for a bounty on sik2 The an
is a plain one, and will occur TO every on.
who has had an opportunity OF witnessing th'
first efforts Of those now engaged init. This bu
Il aix thn hand 80
persons of moderate means, and principally t.
women and children. If this bounty were TO adj
that much moro to the profits of the large CAPT
taiist-l. 1t were TO go into the pockets of the at
fluent and wealthy, l would not urge i'll woul,
not ask i'll would oppose it-but it does not
Tho silk business in this State is too humble We
TO attract the attention Of capitalists. Capita
here, ,rhen it is to be found, seeks higher gam
than this business IS yet considered to be;
seeks investment where there is prospect @
large profits and return, while honest in
dus,ry seeks no affluence, but competency; and
repeat, il is ~ the the hands Of the latter elias
Of community, that the growth and manufacture
Of silk is placed and upon whose enterprisipg an
patriotic efforts il must depend for its ultmat
and final success or failure.
The losses incident this business in its cou
mencement are generally by improper manage
ment. First, in hatching out the eggs OF III
eilkworm 10 the spring, preparatory to feeding
The number of worms with new beginners,
seldom propor,ioned to the quantity of foliage
supply them with food. the worms being yer
small and requiring but little to sustain them VI
I'll five or six DAYS before they form their cocoon
when they feed ravenously and become yer
Iarge this period any lack Of food is apt TO Re
suit in disease and death. Secondly, the spac
they destined to occupy, though generally an
pie until The last few days, when, from the
geaily increased size they are thickly throw
together. that they become unhealthy and liabl
TO die. Also il is necessary TO know the propt
time and manner Of Destroying the cressee.
within the cocoon before it eats its way out. b
which. the threads Of silk are cut and its valu
greatly injured all Of which NAV be easily av OH
ed when properly understood. The losses result
ing from these causes too frequently discouras
the new beginner from persevering in the unde
taking.
Most likely it will be some years yet, after a
the difficulties that must necessarily impede II