The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-01-26
farm aud Gardeu.
Conducted by DR.. THOMAS POLLARD, State
Commissioner of Agriculture
Silk Raising

might be successfully prosecuted in Vir-
ginia. He says, in speaking of the legis-
lation In colonial times to encourage this
industry:
On a calm review of this whole matter,
we cannot but approve this part of the
policy of the colonial authorities, and
regret that their measures were not
better seconded by the efforts of the
people The business of this conclusion,
we also think, is not impeached by the
disastrous result of speculation in our
own day, which professed to look to the
same end. The abundant not the
best-means, provided with so much
zeal and energy, were either not used
or not properly applied; and any other
enterprise, however we'll judged, if thus
conducted, would have terminated in
defeat and disgust One whose authority
we have often had occasion to cite.
declares that the fitness of our country
for producing this article had been
sufficiently tested by experience and
urges its resumption. 1t was abandoned
formerly, not so much on account of
sparseness of population, as because to-
bacco was thought more profitable, and
its returns immediate, to people whose
numerous and pressing wants required
present revenue. Had this, however,
been added to their other staples, the
quantity raised would have been so
much clear gains. For the people
employed in this manufacture, for the
most part, might be the young, the aqed,
and the disabled, who could not work at
anything which required hard labor
or much stirring I'll. Jones, 60, 100.
The patriots of 1760 took the same view
We have hitherto wanted" say they,
something that might employ our young
and old, at present dead charge on
the community; the making of silk miqht
probably afford this employment and Weld
large income to the colony. "-Hening.
VII. 566. This reasoning is as applicable
70 our own time as to theirs; nay, its
force is enhanced when we consider the
increase of our population, and of their
consumption of this article.
The rearing of silk-worms, as it re-
quires certain degree and kind of skill,
demands previous training and patient
attention during the brief season of their
growth and labors But the object seems
to be worth the pains elsewhere, and why
not here? If other employments be
thought more manly and profitable, this
might be left to those who are less fas-
tldlous and content with smaller gains,
the fruit of their own diligence and at
tention. We, therefore, look forward to
time, chaps not very distant, when
this bushes shall be resumed under hap
pier auspices, and conducted with greater
elaboration and perseverance to a more
fortunate issue.
We have seen above, that Sir E. San
dys adverted to the fact, that kind of
silk-worm had been found here by the
first settlers, growing naturally and pro-
ducing excellent silk Great hopes were
once entertained of profits from this
source, beyond the dreams of avarice.
The praise of this insect, and of divers
gentlemen and ladies of the olden time
In Virginia, who were said to have been
most successful in turning it to account.
are celebrated in piece of venerable
doggerel, which disappeared in 1866, and
was reprinted in the Farmers Register
for 1884, (Vol. 1. 734) A little more
experience must have convinced them Of
their mistake. But the disappointment
OF hopes so extravaganza, must have con-
tributed to kill those which were more
reasonable. and ultimately to divert at
tentlon to other objects
This variety, which was afterwai DIS
noticed by Jones and others, is still found
IN our State, and has been the subject of oc-
cSasional experiment. It's cocoons, though
larger in size, are inferior in quality, and
MIR. Tinelli, an Italian, AYERS that it has
been long known in Europe and neglect
ed tor the latter reason.-Far. Reg. Ill
1853; V. BOB. The sole benefit as vet
derived from knowledge of its existence
here, has been the strengthening the faith
OF such as believed that this might one
day become silk-growing country.
In the Report issued from the Virginia
Department Of Agriculture for 1880, the
following is found, taken from North
Carolina paper.
Parties in North Carolina have found it
sufficiently profitable, even with present draw
backs, to raise silk worms and ship the cocoons
TO France One gentleman in Releigh Mr. r
Fasnach, has shipped two bales to Marseilles.
each containing over 100 pounds of choked
cocoons. They have been sold at Marseiles
lot as high az thirty two francs Tor over $6) per
ssllogramme mot quite q pounds), and the
freight from Raleigh to Marseilles did not
exceed - per cwt. The cocoons were raised
3.y the family and aside from the silk product.
Sa lr' IF aspach also produced number of eggs