The age-herald., 1902-03-27
SUGGESTS THAT STATE
 AID IN SILK CULTURE

white mulberry; that they apparently have no enemies that attack them ex- oept man. and that they produce foliage as dence and of as fine color as any in the world.
 1t would not seem strange in these days of corporate enterprise of conn pany of far-sishted business men should organize to initiate and promote this splendid industry in the Southern states. It ia to be hoped that the company with s2.ooo,00o capital mentioned in your arti- cle may prove a solid reality and that its work will be pushed in the near future. But in my opinion quicked and more cer- tain results could be obtained along this line by the direct action of the state gov- ernment while the profits to the pro- ducere would be much greater and their independence conserved.
 There ere thousands of families in Ala bama eking out a precarious existence on small and unprofltable farmes whose con- dition could be promptly and permanently improved if the state could supply them with the mulberry trees and the neces- sary instruction and equipment to begin silk raising. It might be equally well if the general government would encourage and promote the industry as 1t has done with other lines It Is indeed strange commentary on our governmental policy that we will undertake to teach the semi barbarous tribes of the Philippine Islands every thing on earth and provide them with the implements to avail themselves of their newly acquired knowledge, while leaving millions of our own people in state of ignorance and destitution.
 Individual effort can do little towards the introduction of silk culture in Ala bama. The purchase of the mulberry trees and the planting of orchards re- quire time and capital. The trees are not available for feeding the worms in less than three or four years. If the State would undertake to introduce the indus try 1t might use its prison farms as ex- tensive nurseries for the white mulberry trees. One or two competent instructors could teach the rudiments of the culture to as many growers as could be supplied with trees from these nurseries. The ex- pense to the State of inaugurating the culture by this means would be trifling. It is not improbable, in fact, that the State could find purchasers for all the trees produced by this plan at an actual profit to the State treasury. It would be an immense advantage for the State to promote the industry among its people. It should also supply instruction and in- formation to all who desire to embark in 1t.
 I think that any enlightened citizen will perceive that it will be far better for the people to begin this or any other new industry on their own account rather than under the pressure of any corpora tion, no matter how paternal or liberal it's intentions might be. Suppose, for in- stance, that such corporation controlled the cotton production of the State. Would such control be desirable? Would it be conducive to the independence of the peo- pie? And yet there Is no reason why the silk production of Alabama should not far exceed the value of it's cotton products within the next ten years if fostered with intelligence and energy.
 J. A MCKNIGHT.
 South Calera, Ala, March 25.