Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-10-31
RosroN. Oct. 26. 1881.

PUBLISHERS.
BosToN Oct. %, 1884.
II seems Just now as though there WAS an.
other home industry for women about TO bo
added to the already increasing list, namely
silk culture. The success OF Nellie Ros-
sitter in Philadelphia, girl of II, who man
ages a silk farm in the outskirts Of that city,
which gives employment to every member Of
her family from the grandfather, an old man
of 81, to the little brother of seven, has gtim-
ulated other women all over the country to
at least inquire into her methods and when
people, either men or women, are sufficient
ly aroused to ask questions and write letters,
you may be sure that something tangible will
bo the result. Miss Rossiter literally con-
trolls the silk.worm egg market Of the coun-
try and she has told the story of her plans
OF work in very interesting pamphlet which
has passed through its eighth edition, and is
circulated in the proportion of 5000 copies
year. Isn't that a record for a young girl 2
Her success has come largely through her en-
thusiam and how else is success in any
branch induced2 Half-hearted work accom-
plishes nothing; one must 60 at whatever he
undertakes with a will that shall compel sue
cess. Miss Rossiter has an exhibition at the
Institute fair in the womans department,
which is full of interest. 1t was secured by
Mrs. Marion Mcbride, the manager Of the
department, who is fully awake to the i'm
portance of this new industry, that enables
women to carry on remunerative employ
ment in their own homes. Mrs Mcbride
has made a thorough and special study Of
the subject, and has prepared circular
which tells the whole story. Will you par
don me il I allow Mrs. Mcbride to speak for
herself. She can tell the story better than l
nOnlA do aud nndarata nd
She says, among other interesting things
The interest in the silk culture in Msssa-
chusetts dates back to 1881, when a manual
of silk culture was issued by order of Gov.
Lincoln in response to a request Of the legis-
lature for general information for the people
regarding the mulberry tree, with practical
directions for the culture of silk. The re-
port of the chairman of the committee says
The committee have examined the subject
attentively, and fad it to be of much greater
importance than was at first supposed. They
are satisfied beyond doubt that we have the
power to produce and manufacture silk in this
commonwealth to an immense extent, and
that no difficulty is to be encountered either
from soil or climate. The white mulberry
tree is easily cultivated, does not require
the best soil, serves valuable purpose for
hedges and is highly ornamental. Little cap
ital is required 10 commence the culture Of
silk, except that capital which consists in
knowledge. The spare time Of many ladies
ard the Shole time of a vast multitude Of
young women could be used to good advan-
tango, and a new revenue be instituted which
would ultimately become self.supporting
The results from silk culture are so purely
artistic in nature that the most cultivated
women are its supporters. The leaves of the
tree are valuable in their silk producing quail
tiles, while the fruit il excellent for poultry.
Five hundred mulberry trees have been pre-
sented to the woman's department by Mr..
Porter of the Nonatuck silk company of
Florence, Mass. These trees will be present
ed to any women who desire to start the cul.
ture of silk in New England. Orders re-
ceived at any time. The trees will be ship
ped from Mr.. Porters nursery in April, 1855.
Orders for silk worm eggs will be filed
through the Womans Silk Culture Associa-
ton of the United States Any woman who
desires to know more on this subject can gain
information by writing to Mrs. Marion Mac
Bride. manager OF the woman's department,
New England NJ Il NJ Institute, Boston.
One of the pretiest stories that | have
read for many a day is Tip Cat" an English
story by the author Of 'Laddie' and Miss
Tooseys Mission" that has been recently
published by Roberts Brothers. 1t is literal
ly a delight. The style is pure, simple and
clear, the English unexceptionable and the
story itself sweet and touching. Tip Cat
| is an animal, as the name would suggest, but
is also the name Of rough English squire,
"Tipson Cathcart, " a man who has withdrawn
| from ihs world and society and who presents
the most forbidding exterior to those with
| whom he comes in contact but the crust of
reserve and surliuess is broken through by
two dear little girls, whose childish hands
| find the way to his heart, and he and the
old 20 ha nm, lalN "a n
lovely story and one to be widely read. The
same house has also published volume Of
short stories by Sherwood Bonner" the
| late Mrs Katherine Mcdowell, v hose sad
| death, just as she was in the flush OF her lit.
erary success, seems like a tragedy. l re-
member when Mrs. Mcdowell first dawned
upon Boston with her wonderful beauty,
her southern impetuosity and her genius
which was genuine though unframed She
made many friends and some enemies, as any
one with an unrestrained power of satire al
ways does.
Boston hasn't yet forgotten her poetical
screed about the Radical club, which set
them all by the ears and made everybody laugh
| by its wit while they trembled at its authors
audacity. But Sherwood Bonner" ID dead
and this volume of stories is the dying gift to
the public who were learning to value her.
Rirelj fortunate selections have been made
| of women to be at the head of the woman's
department of the New Orleans exposition
Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, president, and Mrs
| Henrietta L. Il. WocOtt, chairman of the eX-
| ecutiVe committee. | am very glad that these
two representative New England woman are
going to represent the North in New Orleans,
for really believe their presence and influ-
ence will do much to bridge over the gulf
that seems to have grown between the wom-
| en- of the different sections Of our country
even more than between the men.
Apropos of Southern women, the Rev. A.
| ID. Mayo who has besn serving for several
years AZ national educational commissioner
for the South tells me that there is tire.
mendous awakening among the young won.
en- of the South, and they are anxious to do
something for themselves, ito amount to
something" as they say. This woman's de-
partment at New Orleans will meet this new
desire, and the result will, do not doubt, be
a happy one for the South.
| We are already catching the spirit of the
approaching holiday season, and the book
publishers are already sending out their spe-
cial books. The firm that is leading most
decidedly this year in holiday preparation il
the house of Lee ~ Shepard. Their list OF
holiday books is not only large but it contains
many absolute novelties. BY far the hand.
soonest book is Zone Years Sketch Book" by
Irene L. Jerome. 1t is without exception
the most exquisite volume, both in sentiment
and appearance, that has been issued from
any house this season. 1t is a series OF illus
trations, forty-six, of the scenes of all the
year, and is the years record of the besteiforts
of talented artist reproduced by the skill
of the finest engrsvers. Each illustration il
accompanied by some fitting quotation, and
it certainly is the model gift-book of the sea
son. Natural beauties are taken from all tn,
year around, in landscape and water sketches
by flashes of sunlight aud through strug
Cling moOnbeams in every variety of shade
The book is unlike any other that has pre-
ceded it. Another novel book is called "Ba
by's Kingdom" which is intended as
dainty diary in which the young mother ma!
record the birth, the first teeth, the first step
the first attempt at speech, aud all the won
derful events of babyhood, for her own graf
ifcaton and a souvenir for baby" after it be
comes grown.up. Il is exquisitely and ap
! propriately illustrated in color and is de
light to look at, as it will prove a real pleas
ure to the mother of all wonderful babies
+ and what baby isn't wonderful to its mother
similar book is "The Guest Book, in whicl
j may be recorded the coming and going o
guests with pages for autographs, incident
and sketches pertaining to the visit. Ism
that a novel idea and wont it help to kee
"sweet things in remembrance The illus