Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-04
MRS. FELTON, TELLS ABOUT
SILK CULTURE IN THE SOUTH

TT was timely article on silk culture
which was published in The Journal
on November 3. written BY a gentle
man who IS evidently profound stu
dent OF this subject. silk culture is a
branch OF agriculture. and was known
\ some Asoo years ago. according 10 current
history. The originator n reported as be-
ing contemporary with Joseph. the son OF
Jacob.
The Chinese emperor, who brought the
subject 20 notice at that time. had a
splendid hel2meet 70 his empress. who has
been canonized as the Goddess OF the
SiIizworm By the Chinese people. for all
these centuries past and gone
Il Is. therefore. an ancient Industry and
A seems strange that the United States
has not entered into six culture with a
vim and relish when this country imports
and consumes more than half Of the
worlds raw six production. estimated az
s750ooo GO. al 70 be paid for in gold
The agricultural department is author
fly for the statement that two-thirds OF
the United States territory Is suitable and
has climatic conditions for the production
OF raw silk. and what We lack is the
knowiedge thereof and energy to prose
cute this endeavor. The raising OF silk Is
not dIfHcuit-uo muscular strength is re-
ouired After the mulberry trees are
large enough 10 supply food for the silk
worms. women and children can prosecute
the work II IS said that there are four
millions OF farmers in this country who
can add SIX culture 70 their work without
detriment 20 other products; and the Mo-
rus-AIba" Is easily grown-and rapid
grower-said 70 be very hardy. south OF
Mason and Dfxon's line.
General OgIethorpe's colony. near Sa-
vannAh. appreciated the benefits OF silk
culture 70 the profits or agriculture. Il is
said he found q mulberry tree growing as
q native and the Salzburghers successful
u raised silk and exported IL TO England
Rules were laid down BY the trustees OF
the colony. binding the landholder TO
plant q certain number OF trees in pro-
portion 10 the land he acquired or held
100 trees 70 each ten acres. This industry
continued for naauy years-Savannah and
Charleston controlling the trade
Why so valuable an industry should
have been discontinued IS inexplica-
BILE The japanese produce annually more
than SO ooo.oo0 worth Of silk. adcording 20
statistics-cultivatfng less than eight hun
dred thousand acres in mulberry orchards.
The average income from a Georgia farm
IS very small This year in north Geor-
gia, By reason OF drouth, late spring rains,
etc. the average rate per acre is infin-
itessimal in many sections. II Is pitiful
in fun leaf might have produced cocoons
sufncient 20 have put shoes and clothes
on the average farmers family In this
hard year OF small returns and high taxes.
Since $50 the United States has been pro-
ducing but little raw silk compared TO the
imported goods paid for. with heavy duties
thereon.
The duty on imported silks. velyets. rib
bons. etc. Is very heavy. An immense
BY home production OF raw silk.
In New Jersey there is an awakening to
the BENEFITS OF silk culture Thirty-five
years ago the county OF Passaic entered
into the business seriously.
That county is now turning out 81. 900
worth OF manufactured silk fabrics annu-
auy-which equals one-half OF the apple
crop OF the United States. and seven times
as much as the peach crop OF Georgia.
II the figures are correctly stated
When the Womans building in Chicago
vac being prepared for the opening of'the
Worlds Columbian exposition. II became
necessary 10 decorate the organization
room with siIken draperies- Each allotted
space had 70 be uniformly decorated and
partftioned. As chairman Of the assign
ment OF space committee. this work fell
under my fnspec. zion and the silk hangings
were purchased from New Jersey manu-
facturers 70 encourage home production.
Many hundred yards OF robins egg blue
silk goods pure silk goodsl. we're sold TO
the woman's board. and the various or
CARNATIONS were permitted 20 pay for the
expense Of their ewn furnishings. after
the spaces we're decorated and in order,
according TO the quality OF material fur
nished-
our representatives in Washington
should be urged TO appropriate money
enough for the department OF agriculture
10 collect and acquire all necessary and
instructive information. and send IL out
among farming people. There should be