Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-06-15
Sill Gnlfnra.


The Women's Silk Culture Associs
ton of Philadelphia are very jealous in
their efforts to arouse general interest in
this industry, and have sentus circular
giving some Of the results of their labors
This circular sets forth briefly that the
main incentives 10 engage in the culture
of silk is the knowledge that there is q
home market for fifteen million dollars
worth of floss, which American manu-
facturers are obliged to import from for
eigu lands, and that silk culture
furnishes women and children in the
rural districts with congenial occupa-
ton that does not require constant atten-
ton, and so will not interfere with
household duties. In view of these
facts, this association of Philadelphia was
organized two years ago. for the purpose
of calling the attention of the women of
the country to the opportunity given
them to establish a new industry, both
suitable and profitable; and also to give
the necessary instructions to all desiring
to engage in silk culture.
According to the circular above men
toned, the success of this pioneer associa-
ton is remarkable; there has been aroused
a widespread interest N the cultivation of
cocoons, that must go on increasing uD-
til the aim of the association is fulfilled.
This fact was most forcibly presented
at the last exhibition of the association,
in which the display of cocoons was very
fine and interesting The chief feature
Of the exhibition was the display of
specimen cocoons by the twenty.six con-
testants for the Strawbridge & Clothier
premiums-the first one of which was
carried off by Mrs. Rebecca Taylor
mother of the late Bayard Taylor, who
s over 81 years of age, and sufferer
from paralysis.
The association announces that through
the liberality of Messrs. Strawbridge &
Clothier, well known dry goods mer-
chants of Philadelphia, it is again en-
abled to offer to silk culturists the
sum of five hundred dollars in ten pre-
NUNS, as follows: First premium, 500;
second premium, SIS; third premium.
S65; fourth premium, $50; fifth pre-
MUM, $50; sixth premium, $45; sew
enth premium, $40; eighth premium,
$50; ninth premium, $25; tenth pre-
MUM, $40 For these premiums any
resident of the United States may con-
test From the ten largest amounts OF
cocoOns, one pound will be taken, with.
out selection, and the test of Keeling APP
piled; the quantity and quality will be
the conditions for premium. Applica
ton for competition must be Endorsed
and the amount of this years cocoons
raised by the calturist testified to by
some responsible person. Stock must
be sent not later than December 1, 1882
Any one with sufficient land 10 grow 6
few mulberry trees can add the rearing
of silk worms to the daily care, and find
it a source of pleasure and profit. The
work occupies but small portion of the
year, and child can attend to the daily
gathering of leaves and feeding the
worms. If a supply of mulberry leaves
cannot be had. an Usage orange hedge
will answer every purpose. The Usage
orange leaf is admirable food for the silk
worms, frsm which they spin splendid
silk.
We have already alluded to very in
teresting event of popular interest, con
nected with this subject of silk culture
which has just occurred in Philadelphia
The Women's Silk Culture Association
selected silk from twenty-six families
living in fourteen States; had it spun OF
a Yankee" reel, made into a web Of
twenty eight thousand threads of silk
and woven as brocade on a jacquard
loom, requiring three thousand six hun
dred needles to form the original anC
striking design. This is the first brocsdC
ever woven in America Of American silk
and probably the heaviest in texture Of
any brocade ever woven. 1t is known
as the Garfield dress, as it is the inten
ton of the association TO present thii
magnificent fabric to Mrs. James A
! Garfield.