Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-04-01
SIX Culture In Georgia.

Of the United States" located at
the southwest corner of Juniper
and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia,
of which Mrs. J. Lucas is Presi-
dent, and the object of which is to
encourage silk culture in this country,
aud instruct classes in all branches Of
such culture with view of introducing
it into households as domestic industry.
The association calls attention to the
fact that the culture of raw silk as an
American industry is exciting wide
spread interest all over the United States,
and it desires to extend this interest and
induce women and children in agricul-
tural districts to devote time and atten-
ton thereto. A statement of the profits
to be derived from this source, as given
in the above mentioned circular. should
be sufficient to excite very general inter-
est in the subject.
There are at present in daily operation
300 raw silk mills, which wove last year
1 500, 666 pounds of imported raw silk,
at a cost of SO, 600, 900. These mills
afford a ready market for raw silk,
which is worth from 81 to So per pound,
according to quality. Cocoons and floss
silk are worth from 81 to 81 so per
pound. Two hundred mulberry trees
can be easily grown on two acres of
land, and these would yield about 30, 900
pounds of leaves, about 16 pounds of
which will make one pound Of fresh
cocoons, or a total yield of 1895 pounds
Of fresh cocoons. These stIf1ed would
yield 5SS pounds. and, as dried cocoons
of good quality are worth about 50 per
pound, the total income therefrom would
be 81 ,176.
The expenses attendant upon the pro-
duction of the above number of c0coons
are estimated as follows: 81 grown
person, first ten days, $40; 2 boys or
girls, first ten days, So; grown persons,
second ten days, $50; boys or girls,
second ten days, SIS; grown persons,
third ten days, $50; 16 boys or girls,
third ten days, $4S. Total, 1920"
If to this is added a few dollars for
fuel, few days work for pruning and
cultiYsting the trees, and few sundries,
it would cover all the expenses which
would not exceed $3.50. This deducted
from above 81 ,176 would leave 81, O16
on two acres Of land, and in one months
timel AS the circular pertinently asks;
"How does this compare with one bale
of cotton to the acre, the bale at $40, and
the crop of which it takes six months TO
make and gather? These statistics are
the result of actual personal operations
under favorable circumstances" The
buildings necessary for the culture of
the silk worms, and the production of
cocoons are Of the cheapest kind, and
can be erected at little cost. Information
regarding this and all other matters re-
latiDg to the subject under discussion
can readily be obtained from the associa
ton.
Frequently the desirability Of silk cul-
ture in Georgia has been dwelt upon in
these columns, and from the above state
ment Of the profits TO be derived there
from, it is evident that it is a subject
which should attract the serious attention
of our farmer friends, especially as it is
work which viii not in the slightest de-
gree conflict with other farming opera
lions, since women and children can con-
duct it entirely.
This section of Georgia, as well as
many portions Of Florida, are peculiarly
well adapted to the culture Of the nOrus
japOnica or Japanese mulberry, the
nlorus alba or white mulberry, and the
m0rus multicaulis or the many stemmed
mulberry, which afford the best food
for the worms. Many of our readers
remember how, in 1888 80, there was
quite an excitement on this subject, and
great attention was given to the culture
of this last named tree, which is a very
rapid and prolific grower, and can be
cultivated in any waste lands about a
farm. The "Woman's Six Culture As
ISOLATION, " of Philadelphia, has opened an
agency for the sale Of cuttings Of the
trees at 81 90 per hundred, and of trees
of one years growth at S. per hundred,
while trees of different heights, from
three to nine feet. can be purchased at
from g to $15 per hundred.
We are very GesirOus to excite interest
afrtsh in the matter. Il IS certainly well
worth trial, especially as said trial can
be made at first on a small scale and at
very slight expense, and then, if found
satisfactory, operations could be extend
ed. Mrs. Lucas was in the city few
days since, en- route to Florida, where
she will endeavor to open the eyes of the
farmers to the benefits to be derived
from turning their attention to the
subject. We have little doubt
that in few years silk culture could be
made source of very great profit. and
we cordially endorse the sentiment OF
the circular, which concludes by saying:
1--WE do most earnestly urge the sgricul-
tural 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
silks"
General Malone says the brokers"