The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-07-20
STRIVING TO FOSTER THE
PRODUCTION OF SILK.
What the Department of Agriculture Is Doing
Along That Line

the climite is mild and the growth of
mulberry trees abundant. AS an incen-
tive to those who are interested TO
cultivate silk worms, the department
pays 81 90 per pound for first grade
Cocoons This is the European market
price. The best quality of cocoons
thus far received is said to come from
Alabama and South Carolina.
1t is proposed by the government to
gradually increase the faculties for
raising silk in this country, until it
can be made profitable to those who
engage in it. DR.. Howard says at
present the principle labor in connec-
ton with raising silk worms is in the
feeding. This work can be performed
by persons too old TO labor in the
fields and also by young children. The
compensation derived from cocoons at
the rate of $1.00 a pound is very small
in view of the fact that it takes a
great Quantity to make up pound.
The raw silk thus produced, while ex-
cellent in quality, has not been large
in quantity, and of course the expense
of production has been prohibited from
a commercial point of view.
1t is the object of the department
in thus purchasing domestic cocoons
to breathe what might be termed an
artificial market for a time, i'm order
to interest individuals throughout the
country in learning the art of silk
raising, to stimulate efforts in the
production of the best possible cocoons
and to keep alive the interest, so far
as possible, until the time comes when
more natural markets shall be supplied.
From the experience of the depart
ment during the past year and a half
II is plain that it is an easy matter
to arouse an interest in silk culture.
Thousands of people in this country
S.E
increasing their income by ever so
slight an amount. The majority of
people who write to the department
of this subject have exaggerated ideas.
OF those who begin the culture of the
worm, many are so much disappointed
by the meager sums which they re-
ceive fro meven the artificial market
established by the department that
they abandon the work. Others, how
ever, seem satisfied and encouraged.
At the present market prices for CO.
coons, 1t seems perfectly sure that
enough people In the United States
will take up silk culture and retain
their interest in it to assure a very
large annual crop.
Not only is the department distrib-
uting silk worm eggs but it is also
distributing thousands of mulberry
tree cuttings. One of the first steps in
vide the proper nourishment. Null
berry bushes or scrub are found grow
ing at many points, particularly
throughout the South. The trees in ex-
istence. however, have not been pruned
or cultivated according to European
methods and cannot be used to the best
advantage.
Miss Henrietta Akin Kelly of
Charleston, who spent several years
u f.aIx reA,,I
ing scientific silk culture, is employed
as a silk culture expert at the depart
ment. She has prepared a manual CIV
ing simple but practical instructions
for the raising of the worm.
Mr.. George w. Oliver of the Bureau
of Plant Industry has also prepared a
manual for the growers of silk worn
food plants, indicating the methods of
caring for and cultivating the differ
ent varieties of mulberry. These man
uals have been printed and widely dis
tributed during the past year.