254 TRANSACTIONS OP THE 



hundred thousand ounces, at a cost (there) of about five million eight 

 hundred and fifty thousand dollars. 



The shipment was still in progress, and would probably reach two mil- 

 lion ounces, at a cost of nine million dollars — a sum equal to more than 

 half the entire value of all our agricultural products exported in eighteen 

 hundred and sixty-eight, and equal to one-seventh of the whole yalue of 

 our entire agricultural products of that year. I put the question to our 

 people whether this trade is not worth securing, and particularly so 

 when those engaged in supplying it can make such liberal profits as the 

 facts above stated show? Dr. Tryski says this trade must fall into our 

 hands if we will only prepare to supply its demands. The reason for 

 his opinion he states as follows : For three or four years past, the 

 Japanese have been complaining that their product of eggs has been fall- 

 ing off rapidly, and demanded a higher price each year. The European 

 Governments, whose people were interested in the -supply of these eggs, 

 came to believe that the Japanese were deceiving their people, and that 

 the decreased product was only a pretence to justify their demands. 

 Hence the French, Italian and Austrian Commissions were sent out to 

 investigate the matter. These Commissions have brought to light the 

 fact that just before the silkworm commences to spin its cocoon, a small 

 fly lays its eggs upon it. These eggs adhere to the worm and are carried 

 into the cocoon with it. About the time the cocoon is finished they 

 hatch, producing very small maggots. These insects prey upon the 

 chrysalis, and having killed and devoured it, they emerge from the 

 cocoon. If this trouble continues to increase for a few years, as rapidly 

 as it has done for a few years past, the supply of eggs from that country 

 will not only be cut off, but Japan herself will have to look to some 

 other country for her annual supply. It will be seen that the trouble in 

 Japan does not directly affect the production of silk, as the chrysalis and 

 all the parasites can be destroyed before the cocoon is injured. But it 

 does materially affect the production of eggs and the price at which they 

 can be afforded, and, indirectly, the production of silk, for, to produce a 

 certain quantity of eggs, fifty per cent, more cocoons have to be 

 destroyed, while the ratio of loss remains as stated for the past season. 

 Should that ratio double, Japan will have to give up the silk business, 

 or, like Europe, secure her eggs from some other country. 



All these facts afford a big subject for the consideration of the people 

 of California. We lay directly in the road of this present great trade, 

 and with a certainty that at no distant day we will be called upon to 

 supply the European demand, and that we may also be asked to reverse 

 the direction of the present trade and supply still a greater demand in 

 Japan. There are plenty of trees to be had in our State at very low 

 figures, and to those who have land it will now cost comparatively noth- 

 ing to start in the business. The prospects of the business for good 

 profits are tenfold better than those of any other agricultural industry 

 now followed in the State. All parts of the State where cottonwood 

 trees will grow will produce the mulberry tree with equal facility. All 

 our grain producers in the great grain-growing districts should plant 

 groves of these trees. Besides beautifying the country and rendering it 

 more healthy and inviting, they will in a few years, with a little labor 

 by the women and children, become a source of revenue equal to, if not 

 greater, than the continually decreasing product of wheat. Another con- 

 sideration may be mentioned in this connection. The principal labor of 

 the silk-producing business is required to be done in May and June, when 

 other work on the grain farms is slack, consequently its products to the 



