STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 91 



contained inexhaustible gold bearing placers. Thus was there about to 

 be furnished to the necessities of commerce additional supplies of bul- 

 lion to meet the increasing demands of an extending civilization, which 

 was producing, everywhere its influence went, an eager desire for luxu- 

 rious life. In a few brief years, gold, which was a paucity, became a 

 plethora in the marts of 'Change. This gave opportunity for the indul- 

 gence of extravagant personal expenditure, and its first effects were 

 observed by a growing scarcity of that most costly and beautiful fabric 

 of clothing, silk. 



Indeed, the demand for this fibre has been so greatly in excess of its 

 production, that there has become almost an exhaustion of the stocks in 

 all silk growing and manufacturing countries. It is remarkable, that 

 during this period of increased demand, there should have appeared 

 climatic obstacles to its increased production. Indeed, unfavorable cir- 

 cumstances have operated to bring about a scarcity of silk in lessened 

 production, nearly as much as increased demand has tended to the ex- 

 haustion of stocks on hand at the commencement of the period 

 spoken of. 



Meteorological observations indicate that the seasons in the south of 

 Europe have been growing colder and moister during many }-ears past. 

 These are the unfavorable circumstances which have attended silk cul- 

 ture in Europe. It is an absolute requirement to the health of the silk 

 worm, that it should have a dry, warm climate, free from explosive 

 electr city. A single shock of a heavy discharge of electricity often 

 kills the entire crop of worms in the cocooneries of France and Italy. 

 Again, a protracted rain storm so saturates the leaf of the mulberry, on 

 winch the worms are to be fed, that a species of cholera becomes en- 

 demic among them, in consequence of the poisoned viscid secretions, 

 engendered by the humid, sunless atmosphere. These phenomena of 

 climate, when prevailing to an excessive degree, render what worms 

 survive their unfavorable influences sickly, and unable to spin only an 

 inferior article of silk. Nature has her law of reclamation and compen- 

 sation, unerringly enforced by the Great Architect. Hence, when the 

 nutritious alluvium, with its bosom garlanded with fragrant flowers, is 

 torn from the mountain slope by the plunging torrent, it is given lodg- 

 ment on the delta, to again unfold the mystic herbarium. Thus, when 

 there is felt to be a declining production of silk in Europe, owing to 

 causes beyond human control, it is discovered that there is a new land, 

 toward the setting sun, j30ssessing every requisite to make it a great silk 

 producing countiy. It is needless to say that this new Eden is our 

 highly favored and beloved California. 



Without entering into an elaborate discussion as to reasons why silk 

 culture may be made a successful undertaking by our people, a remark 

 will satisfy all that every farmer or gardener ought to plant extensive 

 fields of the mulberry, so that in a little time silk culture may bo made 

 a large business. The mulberry tree is easy of propagation, growing 

 from cuttings; it makes a good hedge fence ; it is free of vermin ; its 

 fruit is relished 'by the birds. This latter will save the destruction of 

 the choice fruits of the orchard and vineyard. A farm surrounded and 

 subdivided with hedges and avenues of the mulberry tree will in a few 

 years be very valuable, solely for the foliage of the trees to sell to silk 

 growers. 



As there is neither explosive electricity nor rain in California from 

 May to October, it is seen that climatic conditions are entirely in favor of 

 this as a silk growing country. 



