The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1894-08-25
SIX IN The UNITED STATES.
Importance as "a Misunderstanding Interest
Attempts 90 Produce Raw Siik.

Importance as Manufacturing Interest
Attempts 90 Prodnce Raw siik.
One OF the largest among the varied
manufacturing interests in the United
States is the silk interest. The value
OF the silk, silk ribbon. and silk velvet
product Of the United States was in ex-
cess OF 500, 200, 900 in 1892. The number
OF looms returned by the census of 1880
was -, 500, and the nnmber OF weavers
and Wrappers employed was $4,000 The
present congress, though il has reduced
the average rate OF duty imposed ON
foreign-made silk goods, has sought 10
Offset this probable impeachment 70 silk
manufacture by providing for five ex-
perimental stations, under the control
OF the department OF agriculture for
the cultivation of raw silk.
Since 1858 the average annual inn
portation Of raw silk, some from France,
some from China, some from Italy and
some from Japan, has been in excess OF
100000 pounds, divided during the
last two years as follows: Fifty per
cent. Japanese. twenty-five per cent.
European and twenty-five per cent Chi
nesc.
The use Of silk for all purposes is
largest, in proportion to the population,
in England, which, however, produces
less than fifty per cent OF the manu-
featured silk used. This percentage IS
almost exactly reversed in France,
which produces twice as much silk as
Is required, the other half being ex-
ported Italy and switzerland produce
considerably more manufactured silk
than is required for the local market,
the margin for export being about ten
per cent. in Italy and more than 300 per
cent in Switzerland.
Germany and Belgium have been adj
vancing rapidly Of late years in silk
manufacture, but their ratio of increase
is insignificant when compared with
the strides which the industry has been
taking in the United States. in which,
between the years 1850 and 1890, the
percentage of growth in capital i'm
vested was 100 per cent. The val
OF the Importation Of raw silk
during the fiscal year ending June
80, 1892. was S95, 100000 and during the
same period ending june 30, 1899, it
was $40, $50, 600 The importntions Of
silk goods during the year first named
amounted 20 S3l 900, 900 and last year
20 nearly SIS, 000, 900, showing a greater
rate OF increase than did the importa-
tions OF raw silk.
OF late years the opinion has grown
to be general among many persons
that the soil and climate Of southern
California so nearly approXimates those
of Italy and southern France, that all
the agricultural products Of those two
countries can be duplicated upon the
Pacific. In respect 10 fruit this claim
has been pretty thoroughly estab-
lishcd, and there has been a vast in
crease in the exports as well as in the
I quality Of California wine.
/ But whether the Golden state will
7 become a serious rival OF Italy in the
4 product. Of raw silk is question which
( can hardly, students of such matters
T think. be answered at this time. The
Mid-Winter fair has served 20 again
call attention 90 the exceptional nat
ural advantages OF California, but in
respect Co the manufacture of silk,
easily obtainable from China at a much
less cost than freight charges imposed
upon eastern factories. California has
shown little growth, the silk product
( OF the state for 1890 being S266, 900,
1 against S25, 900, 600 in New Jersey, SIT,
I 600, 600 in New York, 1900, 600 in
/ Pennsylvania, and SS,00O.O0 i'm Con
necticut. These four states are at the
head OF the column of silk manufac-
turers, New Jersey being at the top. -
/ n. Y. sun.