Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-06-10
Silk Culture. in America and Else
where

1hC io1cUodiUSS SouCeEHiUS Inc late OF the
European silk crop are not more dismal than
the reports OF the condition of the American
peach crop, but they have unfortunately, more
foundation. In Italy, which is the main source
OF European supply, the intense frosts OF the
spring are said to have fatally injured the CO.
coons, and the badness OF the weather mas
checked vegetation so that the most enterprls-
Ing young sIlkworm becomes discouraged, and
the faint-hearted die. It is estimated that the
European supply will fall short at least $4,000
bales. Almost as much SILK Is imported into
Europe from China, India and Japan as Is raised
at home. If the imported supply could be so
Increased as TO Offset the deficiency OF the home
product, an advance in prices as a conse-
Quence of the damage to the italian crop
would not need to be feared. But the
Eastern harvest is already completed, with
cultivation adjusted to the average demand,
and the deficiency cannot be fully met. 1t Is
thought, however, that the increased value OF
silk, due to the small supply, will hardly do
more than HeutralZe, as regards this fabric
the general decline In the worth OF mercha ndise
OF all kinds. Less silk will be used, and old
stocks Will find market. It is not believed
that the experience Of 1876, when the failure of
the crop sent up the price of raw material from
so to 100 per cent, according to the quality, win
be repeated this year. The millions or dollars
invested in silk manufactures In this country
and the millions OF dollars spent by Ameri-
cans each year for silk In its different forms,
give practical interest In the United States to
matters affecting the silk supply. This country
now produces very little silk, but 1t has pro-
duced more, and may do so again. There
Is no natural obstacle to its pro-
duction In the middle and southern states. The
extensive cultivation of the silk-worm In the
south was checked by the revolutionary war.
In 1874, according to the report Of the commits
stoner of the CENSUS 800, 790 pounds of silk were
produced In the United States. The amount In
1850 Is given as 14.I63 pounds, and no re-
turn Is made for 1870. The causes of the
decline and failure of silk culture In this
country are thought to be, first, that labor
has found more profitable employment, and,
second, that there has been no home mar
ket for the coc0ons. The fact that the Ital-
tans have successfully competed for the Euro
pean trade with the cheap labor of China
and Japan, goes to prove that with its thou
sands Of unemployed, America can now supply
silk for Americans. Men, however, are no.
needed for silk culture. The cocoons can be
raised by the women and the young aud the
aged OF the family, furnishing light and easy
employment. The profits are small In each In
dfv1dual case, but as 1t requires little labor
and outlay, 1t can be pursued by every one, and
adds immensely to the aggregate wealth of the
nation. The second difficulty Is thought to be
more serious. Our manufacturers need reeIed
SILK, and the silk cultiyator offers cocoons A
regular industry Of Keeling cocoons must grow
up In the United States before we can make
Silks independently Of other nations. Mean
while the silk worm cultiVator of this country
may ship his cocoons to Europe, or reel them
himself; or, which has been found most profit
able, send the eggs to be sold In Europe.