Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-07
silk Culture in the South.

Mr.. George r. Cook, writing from
Barrsville. Columbia county, Florida,
asks US if we can refer him to some par
ties from whom be would be most likely
10 procure silk worm eggs and the best
work upon silk culture, and such other
information relative to such culture as
might prove valuable. He also states
that he is impressed with the idea that
the silk worm would do we'll in the
climate in which he resides If properly
cared for, and he requests usto give him
any facts in our possession likely to
prove the contrary.
In reply to his first question we will
refer our correspondent to the Woman's
silk Culture Association, No 1923 Ches-
nut street. Philadelphia, which assOcla-
ton will furnish information as to the
places where the eggs can be procured,
how the worm should be bred, the CO
coons stified and packed, and the.
best market for the same. In short
all needed information on the subject.
As to the second question, we know
Of nothing to prevent the silk worm
from being bred successfully in Colum-
bis county. Florida, and indeed through
out that entire section of country. They
can be sucee5scaIly produced wherever
the mulberry u the Usage orange
flourish, and We believe these trees grow
with little difficulty throughout that Sec
ton. As further proof. however, that
the worms en- be bred there, we have
on our table now a small box containing
twenIy-six live cocoons, raised
this spring by Mr.. John Stark,
Of Townsville, proprietor of the
Piney Woods Vineyard at that place,
which cocOons are packed away il their
own six as securely as if in cotton, and
viii produce the moth in a week or two
to lay eggs for the next years brood.
Thus Mr. Stark, who has devoted some
time to the culture of the silk worm,
furnishes practical proof Of the adapta-
bility OF the climate of his section for
the production of the worms and cocoons,
and our Florida correspondent might
doubtless obtain from HIM much of the
information he desires. Certainly if the
worm does well in Townsville it ought
to do well in Columbia county, Florida,
which adjoins Thomas county in this
State.
We are very glad to see that the arti-
cles which have appeared in the News
on this subject are exciting so much in
terest therein, and hope that the result
viii be of great benefit to our farmer
friends. Thousands upon thousands of
dollars are annually sent abroad for the
purchase of silk, and there is no reason
why this money should not be kept in
the country, and a large proportion Of it
brought to the South to add to her fu-
ture wealth. Experiments in silk
culture could easily be made
anywhere by our farmers. and
their wives and daughters, at little
cost. Indeed such experiments might
be conducted at first as pleasant pas
time, and then, if found profitable, they
might easily be extended. There is no
reason either why they should not prove
profitable, for there is no danger of the
market being overstocked. Silk is al
elegant and durable article of dress, and
if it can be brought within the means of
all, every lady in the country viii pur-
chase it. If not millions, there are, we
believe, at least thousands in it,
and those thousands would be
Just that much clear gain TO
to our farmers and to the South. We
trust, therefore, these experiments will
be freely made, and that abundant sue.
cess will be realized.