Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-24
:- a SILK CONVENTION,
Called to Meet in Wichita, Kan, April
10, 1889.

ALMA, Wabaunsa Co, Kan, Feb.27. SO
Mr. Il. E. Bldwell, wichita.
Dear Sir:-Having through the columns
of the Wichita EAGLE become familiar
with your name and learning that you are
one Of our silk culturists, l take the liberty
to address few words to You on the sub
iect. As have not heard anything re-
garding our experimental station at Pea
body, and not knowing whether the same
would still be supported by new appro-
priation and new management, would
be under obligation to you for any infor-
nation you may choose to send me IN re-
gard to its profitable continuance.
Your article in the last number OF the
EAGLE is very sensible one and proves
conclusively that you are we'll posted on
the subject Having myself been SILK
culturist for twenty years, l believe your
ideas regarding the reeling by girls with
the aid of an electric motor not only cor
rect, but also Of great Importance Pro-
tected by an import duty on raw silk and
greater reeling facilities, silk culture
would, in few years, become leading
industry in this country. 1t is only pity
that our silk station at Peabody has been
so badly managed at its beginning. A
great deal of the appropriation has been
squandered uselessly and the appointment
of three commissioners who probably knew
as much of silk culture as the man IN the
moon was a serious mistake or the
governor or.legislature who appointed them
An energetic, experienced silk culturist
would certainly make better commits
siOner at reduced expenses.
Right here let me ask you, would it not
be wise to suggest the forming OF an asso-
citation of all actual silk culturiSts resid-
ing in Kansas? Our state is certainly des-
tined to become the banner state of silk
culture / believe that much good would
result from such combination of persons
interested above all in the silk industry.
The association could do no better than
publish periodical, with the prime object
Of discriminating hints on rearing the silk
worm, showing names and amount OF CO.
coons raised by the most successful pro-
ducers; encouraging boys to rear aud girls
TO reel the silk crop, etc.
The Young industry has from its very
birth labored hard and has yet to contend
against great many odds and obstacles,
but the combined efforts of all silk cultur-
lists would not fail to enlighten the public
mind. create a general interest and thereby
bring a pressure on congress to protect this
industry by q long needed tariff on raw
silk If we were fortunate enough to have
a few more such men as Senator Plumb IN
the United States senate silk culture would
BOOM The gentleman deserves the thanks
of all silk culturists for his untirlng eff
forts in behalf of silk culture and we
ought to give him token of acknowledge
ment and gratitude.
| am just now making preparations to
rear the issue of Il ounces of silk culture
eggs the coming season. My choice is the
Italian ANNALS Three years ago | sold
eighty-two ounces Of eggs to the agricul-
tural department at Washington and for
three seasons | have sold from ninety-four
to 10 pounds of cocoons each season to the
Holden silk culture enterprise. They
were reared on Usage hedge leaves. In
1856 | reared a crop from bivoltins OF
thirty-two pounds from mulberry leaves.
Hoping to hear from you soon, remain,
Yours truly, FRED MEYERS,
Silk Culturist.
Agreeable to the request contained in
the foregoing letter, l will call a conven-
ton of silk growers to meet in Wichita
at the board of trade rooms on the 10th
of April next, at p. N. All interested
in silk culture are cordially invited to
attend. Essays, discussion and silk ex-
hibits will be in order, and much good
will result therefrom. The ladies are
especially invited to be present and par
ticipate in the exercises.
Ii. Z. BIDWELL.