State Agricultural Society. 47 



cocoons and raw silk — a thing unknown in the history of this industry 

 in the past, and not probable to occur again. All such anomalous con- 

 ditions of commerce and trade, in articles of such universal consumption, 

 are followed by changes which prevent a repetition of themselves in the 

 future. Such changes are already taking place in reference to these 

 industries. 



Manufactured silk goods are rapidly increasing in value, and are 

 likely to go very high. Capitalists in our own country are seeing the 

 promise of certain and large profits, are seeking investment in silk fac- 

 tories. Heavy manufacturing houses in Lyons and other portions of 

 France that have heretofore had only agencies in the United States for 

 the sale of their goods, are preparing to transfer their entire establish- 

 ments to this country. Thus the war in France has set the eyes of silk 

 manufacturers towards the United States. The fifty per cent ad valo- 

 rem duties which all manufactured silk goods imported to this country 

 have to pay gives them a strong invitation and inducement to take 

 advantage of it. The fact that raw silk and cocoons may be imported 

 free of duty opens the door for the immediate supply of the raw mate- 

 rials, while the favorableness of the climate in many portions of our 

 country — and especially in California — for the production of silk guar- 

 anties a plenty of that raw material close at hand for all future time. 



If peace was to be concluded between Germany and France immedi- 

 ately, the silk crop of France for the next year would necessarily be 

 very light if not a total failure. It will recpiire years to repair the 

 injuries already done to this industry, and in the presence of the disease 

 of the worms which has prevailed there in the past, and most likely will 

 in the future, it is not probable that the production will ever reach the 

 maximum raised before the war. Thus the temporary loss to our silk 

 culturists is accompanied with a promise of almost certain compensation 

 in the immediate future of an hundred fold, and the industry in which 

 they are engaged has received an impulse as unexpected as it is encour- 

 aging. By careful inquiry among our silk growers we learn that the 

 disease among the worms in some localities, the past season, was entirely 

 confined to those of French or European origin. The Japanese worms 

 proved hardy and healthy in all cases, even when fed in the same build- 

 ings and close by the side of the French which were badly diseased. 

 Though the first importations of Japanese eggs were of an inferior kind, 

 making small cocoons, of late varieties have been obtained from the 

 extreme north of Japan which are in no way inferior to the best French 

 annuals in the quality or quantity of the silk produced, and are at the 

 same time perfectly healthy and reliable. 



There are more mulberry plantations being set out this season than at 

 any planting season heretofore, and on the whole the industry is in a 

 most promising condition. If our farmers generally would plant a few 

 mulberry trees about their buildings and on the line of the highways 

 and division fences they would answer the double purpose of ornament- 

 ing and beautifying their places and laying the foundation for the 

 general introduction of a pleasant and valuable industry. Thus also an 

 important step would be taken towards a more diversified and hence 

 more agreeable and profitable agriculture. 



BEET SUGAR. 



In the report of the Board for the year eighteen hundred and sixty- 

 four, and in every annual report since that time, the attention of our 



