The Shasta courier., 1867-02-16

ed even 10y Sully, from mistake and appre-
nehsion- Colbert, in a succeeding age. con-
tihued ms fostering cnre. Both Colbert and
MS INDUSTRIOUS predecessor. by bounties Judi.
clously bestowed, caused both the mulberry
tree and Its culture to strike deep and per
manent roots in the soil of France.
Once established, it has stood. unmoyed bv
every revolution and storm. unprotected and
alone, while all things else have fallen. This
important industry has hourished until,
finally, silk and its manufacture has become
one of the most productive resources of the
wealth and power of France. Jh8
1t was estimated, that in the year 1885,
silk from France, to the amount Of 6f.y
millions OF francs, was exported from that
country to the United States alone. Yet. in
France, although they raise SO much silk.
they export annually to the amount of seventy
millions OF frarcs of raw silk, or nearly one
third of all they consume in their manufac.
lures
In England. the climate, from its humid.
ity or other causes, is found to be untitled
10 i.s growth. For this reason alone, the
.riais TO raise 1T there have failed. Yet.
from loZl to 1873, according to an authentic
w0rk on the silk trade, they imported of raw
SIX ~, l5i ,65S pounds, worth SI2O. .7S7. $50
OF this amount $50, ,SSl ,2S3 came from ItaIy
alone.
Inc sudden and extraordinary extension
oi ,ne SILK manufactures, both in France and
III England, has been mainly ascrbed to the
h'achine invented in France, by M. Jac-
guard then the powerful impulse thus given
mas mas been assigned to the jacquard loom.-
ihis loom is stated to perform all those
iaoors which had heretofore been confined to
the most skillful hands, with important
economy OF time and labor in the preliminary
steps; and so decidedly superior to all other
iooms for all the curious varieties of figured
SILK weaving, that it has superseded them all
throughout France and England.
Yet. In our own country, so highly favored
10 all respects by nature. the successful in
PRODUCTION of the silk culture is mainly due
to individual exertion; hut the day is not
far distant, when the cultivation of the mul.
berry and the growth and manufacture of
silk in the United States will become very
important source of wealth to the nation
The work has wonderfully begun. and is now
taking deep and permanent root in our soil
According to the report of the Secretary of
the Treasury, the value of silk imported into
the United States during the year end
ing the Both of September. 1885, amounted
to 6,597 $50, ttHs being the original
or first cost in the foreign countries
(this must be more than double that amount
now.) During that year only 1886. 500 worth
OF this great amount was exported /; most of
It was imported from Italy, Switzerland and
France
The millions that we are now expeuiing
for importing silk ought to be preserved in
the country. 1t would be good policy to
take steps in view of retaining such vast
amount. by every means that the Govern
ment has in its power. Such amounts would
soon pay our national debt; it should
certainly be good policy to take off duties
frem things needed by the poor classes, and
have rery high duties on the imported article
MANUFACTURED. | am in hope that our Con.
gressmen will understand their duty, which
is to have in view the prosperity of the coun-
try, by placing a very high tariff on the
manufactured silk of importation. This will
inlure nobody, but will enrich the country,
as the effect will be to start the culture and
manufacture of silk everywhere in the United
States where the climate is favorable. In
California alone we can raise silk, not only
to supply the whole wants Of the nation, but
for the rest of the we:ld."