The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-02

Tor want OF steady perseverance In the new
work and market at home for the raw mate.
rails.
This latter want no longer Q lists, for the
demand is yearly on the increase, and new silk
mills are in course of erection. AT the present
time, 200 silk mills are in daily operation, weav-
ing last year 500 666 lbs of imported raw silk,
at a cost of about SlO,O00,O0O Raw silk com
mands from 81 to SIS per h., according to its
quality. and cocoons and floss silk, 81 to $l.50
per ID. Two hundred mulberry trees will grow
we'll on two acres of land, which would yield
about about 10000 lbs of leaves. About six
teen lbs. of leaves are required to make one ID.
of fresh cocoons. which would yield about ,765
lbs. of fresh cocoons These stiaed, would yield
about 2S8 lbs Dried cocoons of good quality
should bring about 81 per h., or $1,176.
EXPENSES
l Grown Person, First Ten Days, $40 90
2 Boys or Girls, +" 6 90
Grown Persons. Second '' 20 90
5 Boys or Girls, /" I" Is 90
3 Grown Persons Third az 30 90
l6 Boys or Girls, '' 4S 90
$l29 90
If we AIDA few dollars for fuel, a few days
work for pruning and cultivating the trees, and
few sundries, 1t would cover all the expenses
which would not exceed $3.50. This deducted
from above ,176 would leave us $l,0l6 on
two acres of land and in one months time
How does this compare with one bale of cotton
to the acre. the bale at $40 and the crop of
which 1T takes six months to make and gath
err These statistics the result of actual per-
sonal operations under favorable circumstances
THE BUILDING REQUIRED.
Two cheap buildings OF rough boards, with
fixtures, built with view to thorough ventila.
ton, each 100x24 feet is all that is required
The aim of this Association is to create a mar
ket for the exchange of small quantities of silk,
before it can pass to the manufacturer who pur-
chases only in large quantities; and persons
raising cocoons are invited to correspond with
the Association and state the quantity raised by
them
Trees can be planted from the LIST of October
until the LIST of May. Standard trees 80 feet
apart, in avenues; Medium trunks, IA feet
apart; Dwarf trees feet in hedge the rows
II to 10 feet apart. Price range about as fol-
lows Ordinary Cuttings, so per hundred;
ten trees; Trees, 8 to feet high, ST. per hun
dred; to feet. $40 per hundred Ito 9 feet,
Yl5 per hundred. An agency has been opened
for the sale of Trees and Cuttings also for Eggs.
81 per 1000; So per half ounce; S. per
ounce. Also, later in the season, after the mid
die &c OF May, Worms at 81 per hundred.
The Morus Japonica, or japanese Mulberry,
and the Morus Alba, or White Mulberry are the
best for food Books of instruction and pamph-
let on trees at 81. Certificate of scholarship in
the silk school, S.. Certificate of membership.
ST.
Reels will soon be put in operation, and we do
most earnestly urge the agricultural people to
enter perseveringly into this work, and help to
retain within their own pockets the millions of
money which are now sent abroad for foreign
silk. Orders will be taken for racks on which
the worms are reared, or these can be made in
the most simple form
All information can be had by addressing the
nj nar'c C,,1f A r.
States. rooms at permanent exhibition building
and 1928 Chestnut ST., Philadelphia, Pa.
We are afraid the estimates of profits
are too fattering. We do not know why
the Morus Multicaulis is not as good for
silk raising as the Morus Japonica and
Morus Alba; but shall endeavor to get
information on the subject. Accompany
ing the circular is an interesting letter
from Miss Lucas. the Secretary in which
she says: Looking away from its bust
ness aspect it behooves the people of the
United States to look well to it that the
$4,000, 600 annually going abroad for
raw silk, and increasing at the rate OF
100000 annually, should be retained
by them. There is no estimating to what
the silk industry of America NAV not
reach, its manufacture being now $780,
100000" Mr.. Elphinstone has furnished
us with h specimen Of Ramie grown at
West Point. 1t is beautiful fibre. silk
like, and it may be that it will be profit
able hereafter to raise this to mix with
silk In its manufacture It's production
is much cheaper, we suppose, than that
of silk.
In our next we propose to continue the
review of the Report of the United States
Commissioner of Agriculture.
Morus Multicaulis.
With the view of attempting silk grow
ing In Virginia, particularly for unem
ployed females and children, though it
may become a great industry, the Com
missioner of Agriculture wishes to know
if th"re are any Morus Multicaulis trees
remaining in the State. If so, parties
having them on their lands will please
inform the Commissioner, at the same
time stating whether they will furnish
him cuttings for propagation. Also state
whether the trees are in healthy condi-
ton with thar ooa