224 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



Mr. E. Heniy. — Having no other interest than a desire to bring 

 to the notice of my countrymen a source of agricultural and manu- 

 facturing wealth, at this time suffered to slumber in neglect, I 

 would especially direct the attention of those who take an interest 

 in the resources of our country, to the importance of providing 

 proper employment for a class now almost entirely neglected, and 

 by so doing adding millions to our national wealth. I refer to 

 American silk culture, which has been so much neglected for the 

 past twenty-five years, that a popular belief seems to prevail that 

 the labor and the climate are unsuited to its production. Noth- 

 ing can be further from the fact, as I shall be able to show. 



From the early settlement of the colonies to the present time, 

 the cultivation of silk has been more or less successful here ; much 

 more so than in France or Ital}', when the first attempts were 

 made to introduce it in those countries. As early as 1623 the 

 cultivation commenced in the colony of Virginia. In 1759 the 

 colony of Georgia exported 10,000 lbs. of raw silk, which sold for 

 two to three shillings higher per lb. than that of any other country. 

 In 177 1 the cultivation began in Pennsylvania and in New Jersey, 

 under the auspices of Dr. Franklin and other enterprising gentle- 

 men. In Connecticut the cultivation commenced about the year 

 1790, and the value of the raw material and sewing silk made in 

 three counties in that State in 1810 amounted to $28,503. In 

 Texas and California much has been done within the past few 

 years to establish its success in those States. 



These facts are but a few of the many which go to show that 

 in nearly every part of our country silk has been produced. 



The subject received the most attention between the years 

 1828 and 1837. It was at this period our government became 

 so much interested in it. The committee on agriculture in the 

 House of Representatives took the matter under special notice. 

 Commissioners were appointed, information collected, and a man- 

 ual was ordered to be published, giving general information as 

 to the mode of cultivating and manufacturing. Acts Avere passed 

 giving all necessary protection, and under the auspices of the 

 government, the press, and a general popular feeling on the sub- 

 ject, American silk culture was going on prosperously. At this 

 period a raging speculation was going on in the country, aflect- 

 ing nearly every branch of business. The great number of per- 

 sons embarking at once in the silk business, naturally made a 

 great demand for mulberry trees, for on this tree the silkworm 



