Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-07-06

tivated it with success for 80 years.
This interest in silk culture soon
passed beyond bounds, and there orig
mated what is known as the Morus
multivaulis craze. Anticipating a most
profitable investment, If not speedy
riches, thousands Of individuals pur-
chased mulberry plants of the Multi
caulis species and planted large areas
of valuable land. The investments far
exceeded possible returns; heavy
frosts destroyed the plantations OF
trees, and in the course of a few years
the many failures and great disap-
pointments caused so complete a revul-
sion of feeling that not only was silk
culture practically abandoned all
through the states, but the very name
became . byword.
Ten years or more after the discov-
cry of gold in California had attracted
many thousands of people to that state,
and at 4 time when its extraordinary
agricultural prospects were first Begin
uing to be exploited. the silk industry
began to raise its head there. Near
San Jose, in 1861, a Frenchman named
L. Provost, having begun the propaga-
ton Of the mulberry, succeeded in
raising excellent cocoons. In the trans
actions of the State Agricultural So
ciety for 1896. Mr.. Provost published
a short article on silk culture in Cal
ifornia, in which he showed that his
first paintings were made in 1853 or
1854. and that he had induced two Ia
dies, named A. Packard and E. Goux,
Of Santa Barbara, to start a plantation
Of 5000 trees, with the result that in
1854 they raised I'VE pounds of silk
worm eggs. Plantations had also been
made in the San Joaquin valley, and
5000 trees had been set out near CEN
trail Utah, The profits anticipated by
Mr. Provost were largely in the sale Of
eggs, and he stated that he had re-
ceived orders from Italy for 100 pounds
and from Mexico for 500 ounces.
In 1865 the legislature Of California
offered a bounty for the production OF
mulberry trees and silk cocoons, and in
tho transactions Of the state agricul-
tural society for 1866-67 it was stated
that the liberal action Of the legisla-
ture and the success which attended
the production of mulberry trees and
silk oocoons had induced the starting
Of q very extensive factory at San
Jose, The statement was made that
tho necessary machinery had been pur.
chased and imported.
After the subsistence of the craze, silk
culture was kept up on . small scale
at San Francisco by Mr.. J. Nsumann
for many years.
When, in June 1878, Prof. c. v. Ri
ley was appointed entomologist of the
United States department OF aEricul-
ture, he brought with him from Mis-
souri, a strong interest in silk culture
and 4 conviction that this industry
could be established in the United
States.
In 1882 trees were sent out to cor
respondents Of the department and the
report was made that among tho Men
aonites in one of tho western states
mulberry trees had been planted In
thick hedges at the limits Of the fields
and both sides of the highways and
byways. The trees were cut down one
third At 4 time every three years, fur,
nishins an abundant supply Of fuel and
also serving IS w1ndbreaks. These PEG.
pie had almost 20. 600 pounds Of cocoons
l. On hand for sale.
In the spring Of 1885 some 5000 mul.
berry trees we're distributed, as well a