The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-07-18


There were Jars OF cocoons raised by boy of
eight years, and by girls of thirteen and
fourteen. There was silk fishing line of
pretty ultramarine tint, twisted so tight and
smooth that il seemed almost as stiff and
elastic Is fine steel wire.
eThst was made by Georgia lady from
silk produced by eggs sent her." explained
cur informant. She makes silk fshing-
lines, for sale, and supplies all the men and
toysin her neighborhood.
This satin book-marker," she continued,
with the bunch of violets painted on it, was
sent to me by girl in the neighborhood;
and this little screen was painted for me by
sn Ohio girl who is nearly blind. l value
it all the more for that; but q person with
good eyesight need not have been ashamed
of it. But Just look at these Chinese gauze
screens, covered with hand painted flowers.
If that work had been done in this country
it would have cost an immense sum, bat we
can import them at very low prics. That
little model Of reel worked by Chinese fy-
uFes was sent TO me from fair, and these
cotton pods, closed out, were sent from
Louisiana
"Here is something I value highly-two
bits of ribbon, labeled: Economy, Pa.
1892 So, you see, as long ago as that Ger
man emigrsnts made silk in this country.
1t is very hard TO get piece of this rare
silk
So size went on showing one interesting
thing after another. There were specimens
Of silk in almost every form-loose, reeled,
spun, tw isted, woven, embroidered, cases of
say sewiDg-silk, wresths of flowers of six
thread stretched on wires and hanks of silk
that looked like lovely silver gray hsIr.
Over the cases hung placard with the
words, "See what worm can do" And l
thought 90 myself that it might have said
just as trushfally, ''See what girl can do"
One Of the most striking objects in the
room was tall stand on which were dis
played long, flowing punches of silk OF ali
The rstual tints, from cream color to
bright yellow, which looked like tho treas,
uIed tresses, Aaxen or sunny gold. of SO
nsny fair msidens.
But the most valued treasures of this silk.
enthusiast are displayed on the walls. Con-
spicuous among them is note Of thanks
iron Miss Moliie Garfield, saying: "Both
my mamma and are much interested in the
coccons snG other specimens you sent US.
We think you must be very enter prising
girl"
There, too, hangs her diploma, awarded
by the State Agricultural Fair.
II value that more than any money
prize" she said, "lor l can ksep it always TO
show. L suppose it was given TO me because
l was so young more than for any o.her
reason, fer had Just Legun silk-rsising then
snd hadn't 1nuch to show-iust some eggs
and cocoops in little frame. Here is tde
veIey jar CT silk sent, labeled, Silk sad
and reeled on her fingers by a little girl
thirteen and half years DID, / think I
would 90 through fire and water to save that
diploma. have fine reel now that wss
made IN Philadelphis and given to me.
There il stands In the corner. hsd the
vster-psn made by tinmsn and fitted On
this old sewing machine stand. When 1 use
1t, set lamp under the pan to heat the
wster. But don't reel very much, only in
the winter, because 1 keep most of my CO.
cocns FOR eggs"
"Where do you feed your worms in the
resrin z" we asked.
"Right here in this room" she replied.
"But as they grow We have to spread them
cut ever three rooms, though our frames are
FIVE stories high-that is, there are FIVE tiers
of trays. / raise so many worms now that
my father and two brothers have to help me
carry home leaves for them every morning,
and sometimes the boys have TO 90 again in
the evening. But it is only for a few days
that the worms eat so much"
at seems strange that there are not
great many other girls interested n silk as
you are" we remarked.
eyes, it does" said she. al suppose there
are some IN different parts OF the country.
But in the city it is not easy to get mulberry
leAye. snd city girls who have to earn their
living seem TO prefer working in factories ur
slorts to taking the trouble to help them
selves by silk raising. Now, ike it so
much wouldn't change it for any other en-
pIoyH ent. There is SO much variety in it
N ch that is interesting to learn about it;
though 1t doesn't take very much knowledge
10 rsise silk. I've put all the necessary in
formal en- IN my instruction book. Haven't
you stem it7 It is in the third edition
now"
Last year, lame girl know, who lives
with her mother in g country village where
there sic few mulberry trees growing nssr
the house, thought she would try
lar's worth Of eggs and o little instruction
book, and began with her trays spread on
the sitting room table. At Rrst, it wss moth
ing but fun 20 watch the queer little brown
things feeding. But they soon grew so large
and ate so much that shs was obliged 70
spread them cut more and more, till they &C.
cupied two CT three rooms instead OF one
table, and it kept the little lame girl and her
mother both busy gathering leaves to satisfy
their sppetites.
But, by tho erd of six weeks, they had all
doDe feeding and spun their little
silken covers and gone to sleep The
lame girl had fine lot Of cocoons,
which she sold FOR twenty.seven dollars, and
felt that she was we'll paid for her trouble.
Besides, she got honorable mention at the
grand silk fair at st. Georges Hall, which
was something to be proud of. So she bought
four dollars worth Of eggs for the next sea-
son, hoping to make four times as much
money.
wish more girls would try silk raising.
think you could enjoy it, girls. II it is not
practicable for you TO belong to silk $3.50
citation, you can raise silk just as well by
yourselves. But should like to hear of q
Girls Silk Culture Club ready to begin work
NIX. season.
There are so many methods OF trimming
dress skirts that it Is almost impossible to
mention any che style as being, par excel