Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-03
THE KANSAS SILK STATION.
To the Editor of the Eagle.

To the Editor Of the Eagle.
The last legislature of the state of
Kansas by joint committee recommend
the fostering and encouragement Of silk
production in the state by the appropFia-
ton of $4,000. The object Of said ap-
preparation was briefly:
1st. To establish station for the
Keeling of silk
End. To furnish market at home for
cocoons, while the industry is being
introduced.
| 3rd. To provide for the distribution of
the best breed of silk worms.
4th. To encourage the planting of
mulberry trees.
| The station has been established at
Peabody, Marion county, about thirty
/ six miles north of Wichita, an excellent
place for it, as being near the center of
| that part of Kansas where most of the
/ people live who are at all familiar with
the raising of silk. The station has been
running for two years, and the $13, 900
spent. The natural inquiry Is: HAS it
fulfilled to any degree It's purpose?
Any person who has the past two
years observed the working Of the sta
ton will say that it is proven beyond
doubt that silk can be raised IN Kansas;
that the quality of the silk is good as the
world produces-this Judgment by old
world growers; that larger production
can be had in the same or less time than
is shown in Europe, where the industry
has long been developed; that the soil
and climate are naturally adapted to
seri-culture, from the fact that both the
Russian mulberry tree and the Usage
orange, both foods for the silk worms,
will grow under any circumstances in
Kansas; that when any of our
citizens have taken hold of the
industry with an honest effort;
that they are uniformity successful in
raising most excellent cocoons; that the
silk reeled last year by the Kansas sta
ton was purchased by Bedding Brothers,
the great silk thread manufacturers of
New Jersey, who complimented the
station for Keeling the excellent silk sent
them and who paid a premium of POT
above the market value for Kansas
silk.
In spending the $4,000 is the silk
station through, and has it accomplished
all the good it san do? No; there is yet
the chief problem to solve. How can
this industry be placed among our work
ers to the best interest of our state? Is
it more profitable to have steam Keeling
establishments and failures through the
country for the gathering, buying and
reeling OF cOcOonS purchased from the
producers, or can the producers be so
educated by a state station, free of
charge to them, for the state gains by
the profit of her people, as to produce
marketable silk with hand or foot reels?
The last method would be preferable, for
the fewer the middle men the more profit
to the producer. 1t is, Of course, fact
that the silk industry is but in its first
breath here, but the state owes to her
people and herself the fostering and
christening of an industry that in other
countries helps to support mllllons-for
instance, in twelve towns only in France
there are 100 looms and 300, 900 peo-
pie employed in the manufacture of silk
fabrics.
Here in Kansas has been established a
silk station. 1t is on good footing,
with buildings, reels and all the
machinery necessary. But what
or a school,; the last by al means. To
do what? To educate those who wish it |
IN the art of raising silk, and also to
show the best way of reeling and dispos-
ing of the silk, to prove that it is posi- |
BILE for the producer to reel as well as
raise marketable silk, at his own home,
SO that the profit of railing and Keeling
should both be his.
The tendency in the past in this coun-
ty has been toward raising cocoons to
sell The tendency should be toward
in the same family reeled silk
to sell, for in that is a good share of the
profit. Good reels with foot power can
be made for less than ID dollars.
In new industry as this is in this
state, discussions must necessarily arise,
as to the methods of accomplishing the
best results, but these differences of
opinion must not interfere with the ulti-
mate end to be accomplished; the indus
try itself must go on; time and expert
ence must teach and individual opinion
give way; mistakes rectified and not be
charged up against the industry, to the
injury and overthrow of the industry.
And the coming legislature owes to the
people, as one of its duties, the further
aid of the silk industry in Kansas.
A. c..
Give the Devil His Due.