New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-06-27
Silk Cultur in Louisiana .


In answer to your inquiries about silk
culture in Louisiana, have concluded to
give you a statement. because I refer to
some facts which it will be interesting to
re member.
There was great excitement all over the
country on the subject in former times, and
about the year 1884 q mania prevailed for
the production of the mcruS multicauHs, the
variety Of mulberry suited for the pre-.
duction of the silk worm. There we're a
number Of ASSOCIATE ions formed, but none of
which seemed to have arrived at any prac-
tacal result. One Of our old citizens by the
name OF l.. Gar nier spent fortune in the
attempt that he II ade. and to use his own
words, to endow Louisiana with the elk
culture.
1t is very generally alleged that our eli.
mate and soil is very favorable for the cul.
ture. and tho saying is probably based upon
the similarity exis ting with countries where
the industry largely prevails. We enjoy.
in fact, many ad vantages, and perhaps as
few drawbacks as in any country in the
world. If the attempts have not succeeded
here it 10 entirely due to the inexperience
and faults OF the parties.
1t is now Q matter Of history that an cpl
demic prevailed a few years ago in the silk
producing countries. which threatened the
annihiIa alton of the elk worms. Recourse
was had TO foreign countries for the supply
Of a new race by the importation Of eggs. a
of Nphe nhf
from the United States, principally
from California. and some from Louis.
lana. am informed by an old
resident who has . place at Covington
on the Tchef uncta river that he has OBJ.
tanned $40 per ounce for eggs sent to Italy.
premium for the production Of the finest
cocoons; they were of large size and of a
beautiful color. He considers that our
climate is extremely favorable for the pro
duction of the silk worm, and also the soil
for the growth Of the trees. One of the
difficulties he speaks Of is the preservation
of the eggs from one season to another on
account of the warm weather in winter.
which causes the eggs to hatch before the
time. To obviate he had sent them to
New York and Canada, which succeeded to
his entire satisfaction. He says he had
made as much as four crops. under favor.
able circumstances, and that two crops
may always be depended upon.
The proper varieties OF mulberry. he says.
are the nouns multicaulis. for the feeding.
and afterward the white mulberry. the
leaves of which afford moro substance. He
thinks the wild mulberry of the country
not 60 good, producing smaller cocoons.
Ono of the difficulties he would anticipate
here il the want Of skilled labor for wind {.
ing, and the higher price here than in Italy.
In regard to the production Of the trees
here can assure you there is no better
country. The tree is easily propagated by
cuttings and grows rapidly. Foe the feed
ing of several crops the tender leaves for
the young worms can always be obtained
by trimming the trees down to near the
ground late in the spring, at various times.
They may be planted q few feet apart in
rows and kept down by pruning, which
would give the greatest amount of leaves re.
latively to the extent Of ground planted.
1t is to my personal knowledge that in
other places in Louisiana, and particularly
on the Mississippi FLYER, amateurs have
been quite successful.
Iouy most obedient servant,
JOHN &. DKAVfGNE.