National Republican., 1886-07-05
SILK CULTURE.
What is Being Done to Develop This
Important Industry.

EDITOR NATIONAL REPUBLICAN: With
your permission and In the interest OF silk
culture in this country, l desire a small
space in your able journal as an introduc-
tion TO a more general and practical treatise
upon the subject. Interest in this depart
ment is rapidly growing in the different
states, where soil and climate is adapted,
and II the public mind can be more
thoroughly impressed with the advantages
IL presents, will soon become one Of our
largest staples. 1t is true that Of recent
date much has been done to awaken interest
in the minds Of the people of this country,
and to develop this important industry.
Commissioner Colman, with his assistants,
has given additional impetus to the cause,
as he has TO almost every other interest that
comes under his control, his broad views
and vigorous mind, with years Of practical
experience, enable him to grasp the various
branches Of industry with tenacious grip,
and with Spartan-like courage pushes them
to the front In spite Of opposition, espe-
cially those that relate more directly to the
cultivation Of the soil.
learn that this department intends TO
take step further than last year In the way
OF Offering inducements to those who will
engage in this enterprise A few years ago
this industry seemed to have failed in its
efforts. The cause OF failure was said to
be that other avenues OF labor moro profta-
bic were offered, and that there was no de.
mand for the raw material, and that, owing
to the cheap labor of Europe, we could not
compete with other countries. This may
have been true many years back, but such
an argument Will not be used to-day. The
silk culture has been advancing, gradually
1t may be, but It has made great advance
ment There is now a market for all the
raw material that can be had. Several fac
tories for manufacturing silk of all grades
are in fun and active operation In Pennsyl-
vania, and demand is made, and the agri-
cultural department is ready TO purchase
cocoons, food for worms, &c, and many
additional facilities are now offered by the
department TO those who are willing TO en-
gage therein. The commissioner Is sus-
tained by Congress, and greater develop
ments may be expected this year. am
proud to say that our congressman seem to
be In greater earnest than ever before In
regard to the culture Of silk, and have
given evidence of this fact by an increase
OF the appropriation over last year.
In respect to those who are most forward
In their efforts to advance this important
interest is society OF ladies in Philudel-
phia, who have devoted their time aud
means to this laudable work in behalf Of
the women OF this country; they realize the
fact that this industry will open to them an
avenue Of labor legitimate and profitable,
and in every particular adapted to their
capacity and tastes, and by which they will
become benefactors Of their sex, and thereby
help the thousands Of Door women and
young people to gain livelihood who are
not physically able to engage In the more
severe and life-destroying avenues Of labor;
become important factors in the prosperity
Of our country, have fair chance In the
race OF life's labor, contribute to the sup.
| port OF the same, and escape charity aud
vassalage. To these ladies Congress apprO.
| priated few thousand dollars last year;
| perhaps year before a similar amount. They
| raised by their own means and donations
some fifteen or twenty thousand
dollars last year, and from their last
annual report to Congress most glowing
account is given Of the work done-the
hundreds OF poor needy women and young
| people who were enabled not only TO keep
the wolf from the door, but TO secure a good
support for themselves and those dependent
upon them. The report states that the
amount they had received was duplicated
and multiplied In their hands like the
| pounds given by the nobleman In the Gospel
to his servants, they have gained five
pounds more.
The good thus resulting from the five
| pounds have induced the honorable gentle
men in the Congress to give them a second
appropriation with the "God bless You
ladiesn-at least one of the honorable sen
atcrs was heard to utter these words. II
was like George.
All praise Is due to those noble ladies
II is hoped that many will follow their ex
| ample, and by their substance and prayers
advance this great industry for the benefit
| Of the woman. j. j. MORAN, NJ. ID.