The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1870-10-12
The Culture of silk.

s-ticle from the Kuokoa, native news
paper;
In conversation lately with an intelli-
gent Sermsu. Mr.. F. J. Junker, who has
come TO these Islands for the purpose of
engaging IN the business Of raising silk
rc-ns and producing silk and eggs, we
we're 50 much interested in his plans that
re requested him to write out for this
paper his thoughts about this new BUSH
ness. De hss done so, and we give his
statement below, merely rernarking now
that some thirty years ago Mr. Titcomb
undertook the same business. and from
causes which were beyond his control,
failed 20 meet success, and abandoned the
business. Intelligent foreigners who have
visited these Islands have often remarked
their apparent fitness for silk culture; but
- vet nothing has been done to prove it.
1t rs listen 10 Mr.. Junker's statement:
Do repiy 10 your request, | send You
few thoughts shout silk culture. In a
good locality. silk culture yields to those
Who undertake II the most astonishing
results Women and children can perform
the work almost rs well as men, for 1t is
. very easy and pleasant occupation.
Then. too, IL Is profitable, and not liable
70 the fluctuations Of trade and does not
require heavy outlay for freight. The
consumption Of silk IL 50 immense all
over the world, that q few million pounds
more IN the market viii not materially
sHect the price. The same may be said
OF silk-wOrm eggs, which are also an
arieie Of commerce. and yield larger
profit 20 the grower than even silk.
Out Of the way places offer advantages
for silk-culture over other localities near
cities and villages, on account Of the
cheaper labor and land. 1t can be started
with very small capital, and gradually
extended until IL becomes, as in some
countries. a business producing to its pro
pgietor an income Of 100000 a year
But siIk-Torms can not be raised every
where. Il Is very important 10 have a
good locality, suitable for both the silk
worms and the mulberry trees, the leaves
Of which furnish the best food which the
worms viii eat The mulberry tree wants
q lozmy soil. but will thrive in a sandy or
gr4velly loan, and requires abundance Of
rain or irrigation Il should also be pro
tecred from heavy winds. H. in addition
% This. Won have an even temperature,
ranging from 20 : to SO Fahrenheit at
noon. and not much less At midnight,
ush tlr-se or four months of fine weather,
All hout much rain, then you have the
right place Tor silk culture Much as the
Caifornians praise their dry summer as
l,siug good for the silk-worm, it Is not SO
good ~ If they had occasional rains,
which l. shown from the fact that they
water the floors of their breeding houses
several times a day TO make the atmosphere
more moist. and thus lessen the percentage
Of deaths among the worms
This shows that many places on these
Islands are far superior TO California for
silk culture. For instance, the weather
sides OF each Of the Islands have three or
four, and some years even six, months OF
even. dry weather, with occasional show
ers Now for the inaccessible, weather
sides Of the Islands, silk culture is the
very best business that natives can engage
IN The best land Is there almost worth
less. because the produce raised there can
not be shipped to market. But what does
six culture care for a good harbor, when
5000 worth Of silk. or $4,000 worth of
silk-worin eggs can be packed on a mules
back. sad at a trifiing cost sent loo miles
% a harbor
The district of Hamakua, Hawaii. is, in
nv opinion. one Of the best locations for
six culture, and every native living there
could. in q short time, become a rich man,
II he would make up his mind to be steady,
6iligent, aud persevering. The common
mulberry Noras Nigr0,l grows there
now, and with cuttings many acres of
trees can be grown in one year, which
viii furnish leaves enough to begin the
culture Of worms. Therefore let every
native obtain mulberry limbs and plant
some trees. ANY native owning a small
piece Of land, can then commence the
business by purchasing few of the eggs.
One acre Of five years old trees, planted
in = locality such as have described, will
furnish 1000 pounds of leaves, and it has
been found by experience that 100 pounds
Of good leaves produce one pound of
silk. worth in Europe, from Sc to 50.
The whole acre would thus produce 500
pounds Of silk, worth, at the lowest price
named $1,000. 1t will require the work
oftwelve men to take care OF the l,0O0, 900
slk-worms which this acre will sustain,
and 10 reel the silk which the worms pro-
duce. After making all allowance for la
Dor. losses. &c, it viii be seen that
large profit remains to the silk grower.