Wichita eagle., 1889-01-18
SILK CULTURE.
To the Editor OF the EAGLE.

If you will go back with me in mag
ination some 1900 years before the
Christian era to retired village in Chi
ma, you might see monk reclining un-
der the shade of mulberry tree gazing
up into the thick foliage which shuts out
the direct rays of the sun, wondering If
he could clothe himself with lighter ma
terial in place OF the heavy goat skin
garment he had just laid off, when he
spied beautiful white worm throwing
silken threads from one twig to another
in the forks of limb. His curiosity was
aroused to know what the aforesaid
worm was doing. After the worm had
secured his future hammock against the
wind, it commenced to spin a web
around itself to protect it against the
rain and birds while it should transform
into butterfly. The observer carefully
watched the worm enclose itself in its
silken case and out Of curiosity pulled
off one of its threads which he
found to possess great strength and
elasticity, but noticed with surprise that
the worm ceased to spin when disturbed
and in sorrow he knelt to his idol God to
appease him for the intrusion, which he
thought was fully satisfied when he
looked up and beheld The spinning was
resumed. He carefully watched the in
creased beauty Of the golden ball as the
worm added layer after layer daily,
wondering what would become Of the en-
toombed worm.
On the tenth day nearly discouraged
waiting he was aStonished beyond meas
ure in behoiding the end opening and a
beautiful full-fiedged butterfly emerge,
unfolding its white speckled wings III
the sunlight, ready for fight into the
tree above where 1t was soon lost in the
foliage.
Returning early on The following day
to ascertain if the bird-like beauty had
returned to Its nest and finding it empty
he commenced to remove it to learn how
it was made, and picking at it secured
an end which he drew out in
wonder and amazement, at its great
length, uniform size and strength. He
began to wind it around his fingers
which soon enclosed them with a film
and finally with a silken reel, in which
he conceived the idea of weaving it to-
gether like a rush mat and finding more
cocoons. wove them into rude piece of
cloth and drawing the ends partially
together made turban for his bald
head This may have been the beginning
of silk culture.
From China it extended to Japan,
then to Greece, then TO Italy, France and
Spain. and finally across the ocean to
New Jersey and California and at last
has reached here, the end of its earthly
circuit. Every step in its onward prog
ress has developed more usefulness and
beauty, and in sunny Kansas may ex-
pand into Its greatest fullness. Just
think of 1t: Kansas expects TO grow the
coming season ten to twelve broodS
or successive crops IN five months.
and out of its success viii come a host of
people in Wichita sending their children
out on the motors TO gather the leaves
along the hedges for feeding the silk
worms in the spare rooms of their spa
cious houses, and Will be able soon TO at
tach an electric wire TO the cables which
which may run all the street cars in the
city, enabling Us 70 reel the silk for the
great silk mandatory promised Us III
Wichita
Nor is there comparatively any risk in
silk culture which has been IN successful
operation for nearly 4, coo years. employ
ing several million people, an industry
growing out of nothing and destined to
lead ali pursuits IN clothing all mankind.
Even now men, woman and children are
almost entirely clothed in parts of China
with silk. as the most serviceable mate
rial TO wear.
Shall we continue to squander our
means sending 10 China our silver for
raw silk, or our gold to France for dress
goods. when our hedges are needing
pruning: No. certainly not: Let us
order some eggs and instruction. which
are had for the asking, and see what We
can do relIn4uish our wardnebes with
something that Is cheaper, more beauti-
full anu more distinguishes silk, the
bese in the world. II E. BIDwELL-
TIL, e - ~