The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-09-24
Silk Cultnre.

Silk Cultnre.
The recent address by Mr.. Louis
Boris Magid, in which he advocated
the introduction Of silk culture on
large scale in the Southern States, and
more particularly in Geargia, has
drawn general attention to an indus-
try which wes we'll established in this
country during is colonial period aud
once gave prominence Of becoming an
important source of American wealth.
Various causes, among the chief Of
which was the introduction Of negro
slave labor in the regions Of the South
best adapted to the culture, brought
about the practical destruction Of the
industry.
MIR. Magid is convinced that the
time has come when the culture of
silk can be revived and made an ex-
ceedingly valuable addition to Ameri.
can resources. He is proving his
faith by his works, or, in other words,
be is backing his opinion with his
money. He is German by birth,
who has familiarized himeelf with the
conditions favorable to silk culture in
the countries of the world where it is
most largely and successfully pursued,
| and as consequence Of his studies
has fixed on the State Of Georgia as
the place where the experiment Of its
American introduction can best be
made. Going from New York, he ac-
quired in the neighborhood Of Tallu-
lah Falls, in Georgia, tract Of land
$500 acres in extent, and there he
plans to develop the industry on a
large scale. In that climate the null
berry free thrives SO greatly that it has
come to be looked on by the farmers
as nuisance; and generally in all
that region of the South, including
besides Georgia, the Carolinas, Ala
bama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana
ar1 Texas, he describes the conditions
as particularly favorable to the growth
of the mulberry tree and consequently
to the production of silk.
Mr.. Magid's project is interesting
also because it involves the attraction
to the South Of an immigration which
would be peculiarly adapted to its eli
mate conditions. Mr.. Magid proposes
70 divide his Taliuiah land into small
farms and to invite thither farmers
from Piedmont and Lombardy, 30 eel
ebrated far its si!xt growing. The
greatest volume pf immigration tothie
|icouDtry from spy single European
State IN now from italy, but tits chief
~. almost wholly, from the Southern
provinces Of the peninsula. Whistler
Mr.. Magid can induce tho emigration
from Northern Italy which he needs,
will depend, Of course; on his making
his. experiment suseeasenl, bat he
seems to have no fears on that SCORE.
Mr.. Gerald Mccarthy, the biologist
Of the department. Of agriculture Of
North Carolina, it seems, will be,
making simultaneously an experiment
of silk culture in that State. He will
have the assistance Of an appropria-
tion by the Federal Government Of
$40, 900 for such experiments. Mr..
McC Carthy has gone 80 far as to i'm
port silkworms from Italy, and to dis
tribute them among farmers wives in
North Carolina.
The silk manufacturing interest,
now 30 great in this country, does not
seem to look on these experiments
hopefully; but both Mr.. Magid and
Mr. MCCARTHY are full Of confidence
that they are the beginning Of cul-
ture which will rapidly develop into
prosperous activity. This \ is tho
greatest silk consuming country in the
world, and these gentlemen contend
that nothing except intelligent utilisa-
tion of our climate advantages for the
culture is needed to enable the United
States to become also the greatest silk
producing country.
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