The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-07-05
From the Country Gentleman.
IS Slilkweed' as a Substitute for Cotton.

We have received from Russia through
The kindness of Mr.. Kaiussowsk, and ac-
companied with the following letter, sam.
pies Of fibre, thread and paper manuiac-
tured from the Asciepois Suiaca, of Lin
n9us, denomlnated A. Cornmi by Decaisne,
and Familiarity known in England as the
Swallow wort or Silk Plant, and in this
country as the Milk Weed or "Silk
Weed" Our readers may remember that
the subject of utilizing the silky fibre of
this plant for economical purposes, vas
some years ago mooted in the papers; but
1t Is now long time since we have seen
anything in reference 10 1t, and we were
10y no means prepared to learn that ex-
periments had already taken place in
foreign countries upon the scale indicated
10y Mr.. X The Milk Weed, notwith-
standing the name given it by Linneus,
Is thought to be purely an American plant.
The facts and samples presented certainly
seem sufficiently promising of success to
warrant farther trials
WAsHIyGroS, D. c., June 9, 1862
Editors Co. GentEcmaa-I have the honor
to send you, herewith enclosed, 4 couple
OF small samples Of the product of the
plant called Asclepia Syriaca or Corinthi.
Ia Russia it is known under the name of
Lastoczuik, and in Poland under that Of
Tojesc. Here, believe, it is commonly
called Silk plant but better, Swallow
wort" Some botanists used to give it the
appellation of Aporinep." 1t belongs to
a very numerous and well known family
of ornamental plants in our gardens In
America, particularly in Pennsylvania and
Virginia, 1t grows spontaneous, and in
Europe Is very common.
Its scientific name would make a sup
position that some medical properties aie
peculiar 10 that plant, while the Polish
name would indicate that it is good for
food.
The present difficulties in the purchase
Of cotton, may cause a warning to the
civilized world TO look for some however
partial substitute, for the product depe nd
ing SO much on the whins of heated
brains. Flax, hemp, since the secession
bloom, raised not ouly In price and cstiula-
iion OF Olden times, but many new fields
are put under tier cultivation.
.IS.lpiaS syreucG. or vegetable silk, some
times known in commerce as Virginia
silk, was much exported from the UniteI
States about 1906. and greatly inquired
lor, as am assured by q. Peale, Esq, OF
the Patent Office was known in England
in the beginning of the seventeenth cen
turv, and in the Museum Rusticum et
Commerciale, published in Loudonin l,Gl,
minutely described. In France, in l.Gl,
sieur Rouvere, applied it to the manuiaC-
ture of very excellent hats and felt. IN
Germany, J. Won krunitz, in ltSi, and
before linn Mr.. Schneider, from Liguirz,
demonstrated its usefulness in many re-
spects, particularly a. plant OF great
value, because furnishing fine material for
hoisrr Ac, and all abundant and delight
tui feeding Tor bees, which would bring
honey good as that w.Icre the lime tlee
abcunds. IL Is probable that the Use Of
the flores and of the silk Of that plant
were known In the middle agcs-but the
wars Of those times struck tIom the mem
ory Of man the knowledge. even, Of the
riches lying under lis hand. The war Of
our time may bring IN oblivion the cotton
or at least diminish Its demand. Similar
circumstances destroyed forever "a once
very propltious commerce IN Poland, OF a
certain Insect, which vas substituted bv
tie very little better, but much dea:er
cocLiueal, Xc
Russia, which bought every year from
America cotton to the amount OF ;, los, l3j
rOublrS, OF aOOut $2,JoJ,UUJ, 1t seems Was
the t.st To take steps 10 free itself from
the eNi.enClrs o! THAI never crowned king.
onc oi her most euterprislng mauuiac-
ture-s, Nj. piioHkofg, obtained in l>Jl, III
PetelsJu-h, ii patent for the improved
method Of the treatment OF GbTes and of
silk Of that plant The samples are from
him
1t seems that the difficulties overcome
tv Nr. PIrozkott were precisely those that
We're complained of in the last century.
The silk then, even, Was mostly used only
FOR beddings, as eight pounds of silk were
sufficient TO make " coveriet, bed and two
cushions, as says Mr.. Rees' Cyclopodia
The paper made OF this plant was very
similar TO Chinese however modern i'm
provsments known to that branch Of in
dustry, we're not yet applied to lis make.
Ia Russia. since Mr. Pirozkotts inven-
ton, more than 40 large plantations have
devoted entirely their means and forces
to the cultivation of this plant, and they
appear very well satisfied.
Now, sir, would be most happy if by
this simple suggestion | could awaken the
attention of the industrious people here,
and cause prosperity from source not
much thought OF.
HENRY X. KAIUssowsKI.