The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-01-17
For the FARMER AND MECHANIC.
Silk Culture in North Carolina.

Silk Culture in North Carolina.
tBy Prof. w. c. Kerr, State Geologist.)
One of the most serious Of the
evils of our narrow and exclusive
system Of agriculture is to be sought
in the neglect and repression Of
some OF the most important and
profitable industries known to man
kind, for whose successful prosecu-
ton we have every favorable natu-
raj condition. 1t is singular that
silk should be included in this cate
CORY. Singular, because this has
from remote ages been one of the
most conspicuous and imposing of
national resources. The more sim
gular, because every nation of Eu-
rope, as well DIS Asia, has spent
hundred of years and millions of
money In efforts to establish it.
And still more singular will it APP
pear when it is remembered that
one of the prime objects for which
this territory Of Virginia and Caro-
lima was colonized by the English,
was to produce silk for the supply
OF British looms, for which the
climate OF their island was found
unadapted ; and when it is remem-
bered that this industry had been
successfully established prior to the
Revolution from Virginia to Geor-
gia ; and when it is further remem-
bcred that, forty years ago, the
subject was again actively discussed
throughout the continent, and silk
was produced in every State from
Massachusetts, to the Gulf, and has
been produced in North Carolina
every year since. Many Will recollect
the Morris Multicaulis excitement of
generation ago. Orchards of this
mulberry survived in various parts
Of the State to within a few years
of the present, and struggling re-
minders of the craze are still found
III many counties.
Nothing a less require demon
stration than the fact of the perfect
adaptation of this State to the sue
cessfGl production of silk. But If
it were otherwise, an experiment
vas made at Fayetteville with the
most complete success, in 1876, by
a few Italian colonists who were at
tractcd here by IN exhibit of cOcoons
at Vienna in 1873. Their product
was exhibited at Philadelphia and
the chief commissioner Of Franch
pronounced the cocoons equal to
the best he had ever seen in Lyons.
The strength of the fibre was tested
on the Brazilian flature and found
to be greatly superior to hat of
their W cocOons, which they were
producing and reeling every day
during the exposition. The length
of the strand was also measured and
found to exceed 500 yards. And
the experiment was repeated at
Raleigh last year, with an identi-
cal result.
Others will repeat it this year.
Not SO many as should do so, how
ever.
What are the facts, first, of the
history and magnitude of the silk
industry ; and secondly, of favorine
conditions here, and the advisable
ty that some of Il enterprise should
turn its force in this direction noW?
As already stated, it is one of the
oldest forms Of agricultural indus
try, having been established among
all the eastern nations more than a
millennium before the Christian era,
and it has been, from the remotest
times a chief source Of national
commerce and wealth. The mon
opoly which vas sedulously preserv-
ed In China and India for many cen
turies was only broken up in the sixth
century by the pirating of the secret
OF the production of the fibre by q
worm, IN the interest Of the Roman
Emperor, through the agency of q
couple of missionaries, who brought
the eggs of the silk worm in cavi.
ties IN their pilgrim slaves. Sill
was worth It's weight in gold at thi.
period. The knowledge of the ar
gradually spread through the Who'll,
OF Europe, but only after centurie
OF experiment and the outly O
millions of money did the cultur
of silk become fully settled as
profitable industry in the western
countries of Europe. Among these
France has always occupied til
most advanced position, a fac
which is due, first to her favorabl
climate, and secondly to the enter
prise and intelligence and perse
verance of some of her wisest mon
archs, chiefly of Henry ~. Blu
no nation strove harder, or sper
more, in efforts to domesticate tn:
industry than the English. An
-loo ~ "