Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-04
Some Facts About Silk Culture in Georgia.
Az THos. \. PAscHAL, HARLEM, COLUMBIA COUNTY G.

, do to the other fellow what ne Woulo
do to us-and do 1t first"
Among the many industries for which
our acres of uncultivated land are
adapted, but which we disregard, 1 de-
sire to call particular attention to one,
which requires so nttle time, labor ana
/ expense that it's advent into the south
cannot longer be deferred. / refer to the
culture of silk.
Some points regarding the silk indus
try in the United States are as follows;
silk imports yearly. -. ....s 9O0OO,OO0
Capital invested. -. ........ o1'VOOsVVO
Wages paid annually. 2OOOO'OOO
Yearly production. ..... Vi ,IOo'zoo
The United States has now become the
greatest manufacturer of silk fabrics IN
the world. In 1870 we imported from 5SS. 90
to $4,000 pounds of raw silk, while In 1900
we imported 1888, 30 pounds, the value
If which was over S45, 0OO.O 900 worth of man
ufactured silk; and paid Sl5OoO,OOo duty
on 1T; making the total value OF our SILK
imports over $9O,00O,0OO.
We have in operation 4S3 silk manufac-
turing plants, with an aggregate capital
of ISL, COG, 600. employing 65,4l6 operatives
and paying out in wages $2O,SS2, lS4 annual
ly, with a yearly production valued at
$1O7, ,25S !
SILK CAN BE RAISED IN SOUTH.
The worlds crop of raw silk is esti-
mated at 1000 900 pounds per year-thls
country taking 100000 pounds for its
weaving.
Besides this the manufactured products
we import contain 100000 pounds more.
Therefore, we annually bring into this
country about the equivalent Of 1s,OOO.OOO
pounds of raw silk, or nearly 80 per cent.
of the worlds production.
The demand for silk is steadily increas-
ing, as shown by the determined advance
in the price Of raw silk. Experts tell us
That the South Atlantic states have the
proper climate and soil, and I am sure
we have sufficient land, labor and intelli-
gence.
There is no more entertaining or refined
occupation than the culture of silk-worms.
It is distinctly a domestic industry. Nine
ty per cent OF the work necessary can
be performed by the women and chill
dren. 1t would open up a field for use
fulness for labor now unemployed. II
would contribute towards the diversified
ton of our products-now mainly cotton
and corn which hardly sustain meagre
existence and certainly leave nothing tor
any higher aLtainments.
In the six weeks time required for rails
ing a silk crop, two children, IL to IA
years of age, could earn money enough TO
pay for their clothing and school books
during an entire year.
The work in this section would be done
from May 1st to June 18th, not interfering
with any other work, as it should engage
chiefly the unutilized labor of the house
hold-those who need small money and
have no way of acquiring it.
Silk is the finest and most valuable of
all textile fbres and was first produced
IN China about 200 years B. c.
There are 100000 in easy reach OF the
women and children in Georgia for six
weeks work. There is every reason why
Georgia should produce this fibre. 1t
would be an easy task for lSv,UO0 fam
lilies in the state to produce 100000
worth of silk annually, and If reeled with
in the state it's value would be doubled.
We should grasp the Importance OF this
industry during its incipiency. If we would
reap the benefits the incipient stage is our
golden opportunity.
America is annually sending abroad So,-
900 600 for a product that could easily be
supplied by the southern states.