Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-17
A GOLDEN HARVEST FOR BOYS.

To the Editor OF the Daily Eagle.
VIII silk culture be failure in Kan
sas, even without duty? Go ask Him
who created the heavens and the earth If
He forgot to provide for Kansas, and He
will tell you, II gave them the best of
soil which required million years to
prepare for them; gave them the best
forage plant-full of milk to produce
superior silk and good for fencing and
fuel, and created for them silk spinners
to convert the leaves into noble thread
which kings delight TO wear and the
humble peasant is content with, and
gave them climate superior to
the rest Of the world to weave
it in; created for them cheap
coal oil colors to impress upon their fab
RIGS all the beauties of their sunsets
vieing with Me in the imprint of buds,
leaves and flowers in endless profusion. !"
Whose fault is it if they neglect the
golden opportunities offered them to
make prosperous country for their pro-
gressive people? If you wish to make
an independent man of a Kansas boy let
HIM go to work raising silk. Tell him
you will furnish him room and the
eggs to give him start. Tell him if he
will feed 1900 silk worms a little over
one month an average Of three bushels
of orange leaves day, he will get
eight pounds of silk worth $40,
and s. premium for Kansas silk.
If he takes to it well at the COM
menc9ment of another week give 4 900
more and shelf to his room and have
him put papers to the south and west
winds so the sun will not burn the backs
of the tender worms, and In another
week 1000 more with additional shelves.
At this time call his attention to the fact
that the worms are learning to know
him; see them holding up their heads
listening to his glad coming. Surprise
him by giving him 1900 more the fol-
lowing week: he will then have to feed
twelve bushels of leaves a day but will
get $46 for his months labors.
The spinning will be in operation, and
If he takes to it kindly, let him keep at
it ali summer. and he will have money
to put in the savings bank before fall.
From the middle of April to the mid
die of October will cover twenty broods,
and what may be the result-$220 worth
two, and he will have 500 for six
months labor. Not bad for Kansas
boy. If he lived in England he could
not do it on account of climatic condi-
tions. England, with all her mu-
cannot grow, reel or manufac
ture silk as successfully as Kansas can.
Even France is getting uneasy lest she
lose her supremacy in the markets Of the
world. America is fast becoming her
rival in manufactures. France took the
from Japan and had Italy,
Germany and Switzerland to help her,
but must soon give it to America, and in
time America to Kansas.
The imports in England of dress silk
last year in round figures was five mil
lion pounds sterling; of silk ribbon three
of other silk goods two and
one-half million-over ten million pounds
worth without being able to produce, and
Russia doubtless more.
The old world consumes the bulk of
its own production, while Africa, Au-
Stralia, South America and Mexico are
opening their doors to receive it, The
worlds estimated product of silk for
1888 was over II, 600, 900 Kilograms GA
200, 900 pounds weight, not including any
used in the east, sold at the average mar
ket price of 81. 80 would bring $l0S, 900,- |
O0O, and manufactured and sold would |
produce the enormous sum of S437 $780, |
900. in all for one year of over half bill |
lion dollars worth, representing the labor |
at fair wages of nearly two million peo-
pie What may the silk harvest be for
Kansas in ten or twenty years: Success
or failure will follow the footsteps Of |
your boy as you encourage and develop |
his industry or neglect tue opportunity. |
II. E. BIDwELL-