Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-04-10
SILK CULTURE HERE.
Plans to Introduce the Industry
In the United States.
FOREIGN EXPERT LABOR NEEDED

Colonies to he Established In south
ern states and Settled by Northern
Italians, Who Are Very Proficient
In Sertculture--pfedm Section
Considered Ideal Place to Bcsin.
Louis B. Magid, banker, Of New
York. who has been travelling through
the south. investigating the country
for the Introduction of silk culture,
was in Washington recently. Being in.
terested in the silk business, he has
given special study Tor many years to
the possibility of producing raw silk in
the United States.
The United States Is today using
more than one.fourth of the world $
production of raw silk, and 1t produces
none.s said he to a reporter of the
Washington Post There is no reason
why this state Of atfairs should eontIn.
ne. since we have the climate and soil.
as well as cheap labor IN the southern
states, which is now unutilized aud ad.
mirably adapted for the purpose Be.
sides the silk culture is one that is easy
and lasts only two months OF the year
ut the outside. and the unproductive
labor could easily give attention to 1t
Il viii not speak of japan and China.
countries not of the highest civiliza
ton. but take France and Italy. more
advanced countries, whose govern
ments are today encouraging sericui
ture aud have encouraged Il since It's
earliest days. They NOW receive one of
their largest incomes from elk crops.
The United Suites is purchasing from
them annually this product and annu.
ally sends S5eo0o,ooo to S7o,o0o.o0o
abroad for the raw material.
"0f course many experiments have
been made In the United States to
raise silk. but always IN such crude
way that success could not be expected
In the undertaking Usually some wo-
man reads a pamphlet on the subject,
then attempts the raising OF silk. or
course such 4 person deserves credit
for having tie courage and ambition to
make the experiment. but the industry
is one of far greater Importance and
demands the cooperation of men with
knowledge of serieulture and of finan.
eial institutions as well as OF the ma
tional and state governments in its es-
adjustment
Il have Incorporated a stock compa-
ny with some of my associates ON a
business basis. Our plan is practically
TO establish one or more colonies to be
settled by northern Italians who are
experts or. better said. Unborn with the
knowledge of silk culture and silk
manufacture. BY doing that We shall
make an object lesson to the natives of
the southern states. white and black
alike. to teach them to raise the silk
and to unwind the cocoons, making out
of them a marketable product.
"A great obstacle which is in the way
at the present time is that we have not
expert labor to do the work. Now, by
colonizing several districts with Ital.
ians we will remove this obstacle
These Italians will teach the natives to
raise the silk. and the natives will also
have a chance to learn the unwinding
or reeling of the cocoons.
THE object of the company In bring
Ing these Italians Is purely for that
purpose, as it is not necessary on nc
count of labor to bring in Italians, for
we have throughout the south much
cheaper labor than is obtainable in any
part of Europe. The southern laborers
can take up silk culture and yet be in
position to continue producing their
cotton crops and other agricultural
products. because. as stated before. the
silk raising lasts only two months of
the year and could be conducted by
women or children above six years of
age during the months of May and
June.
"The climate of the Piedmont sec.
ton. which | call that between Wash
ington, Atlanta and Columbus, is the
ideal place to begin. but there is no
reason why the native farmers of ev-
cry state in the Union should not en-
gage in the silk culture. and my com
pany offers to give them any and all
information in connection with the
matter, as we want every farmer to
produce silk, and we shall create d
market for the eocoons by our plan of
establishing mills. | had an interview
with Secretary Wilson based on a long
correspondence. and he assured me
that as far as was In his power he
would assist the establishing of silk
culture in the United States. as he has
long been of the opinion that silk cul
ture could be introduced in the United
States and now has bill before con
gress asking for $4,000. with which. /
believe, he Is going to distribute mul
berry trees and eggs to all who will ask
for them"
Asks Hnnna's Aid 10 Float the Ark.
Senator Hanna receives many curious
letters. but the proposition which was
made TO him the other day takes the