230 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



able means of employment that an attempt to introduce it would 

 result in failure. Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cur- 

 rants — any kind of fruit and vegetable, almost, is more profitable. 

 Mr. N. H, Gale spoke at some length on the subject, as follows : 

 Mr. Chairman : The subject of silk culture has been one of 

 more than common interest to me for many years — ever since I 

 was made acquainted with the capacity of the soil and climate of 

 our country for its culture, and the genius and talent of its citi- 

 zens for its manufacture ; but more especially since the fall of 

 1848, when in my meanderings in the south and southwest. While 

 in Marion county, Tenn., on my way from the county seat, I was 

 overtaken by a rustic citizen, and invited to accompany him to 

 his humble dwelling, just under the mountain, known as Walden's 

 Kidge ; and so importunate were his solicitations, that I felt a 

 sort of social necessity of complying with them, notwithstanding 

 I had intended to pursue my journey a few miles further before 

 putting up for the night. When we arrived at his dwelling, some- 

 thing near a mile from the main road by a common cow-path, from 

 the south, I was heartily welcomed by his wife and little ones, as 

 a man from the north, that he had picked up on the way, and 

 through much persuasion had come to spend the night with them, 

 I was immediately voted the freedom of the domain, and ushered 

 into the parlor, as the observed of all observers — the elephant 

 from the city of New York. Soon after our horses were provided 

 for, his good wife had prepared an ample and substantial meal 

 for the household, of such as the plantation afforded ; and a bet- 

 ter is not to be found in every household of civilization. After 

 the cloth was removed, and all the family seated in the parlor, 

 (do not ask me any questions respecting the parlor; a description 

 of it might excite the nerves of refined civilization in this great 

 metropolis) the first subject of conversation introduced by the 

 wife was the culture of silk ; and she took a small silk shawl from 

 her shoulders, that I had before observed, which she had worn 

 for five years, the material of which she had cultivated. She 

 bred the worms, fed them, reeled, colored and spun the silk, and 

 wove the fabric, and wore it for five years — then an every day 

 appendage, and worth, for daily service, $2, if not more, in con- 

 trast with any other fabrics in use by females. She was exceed- 

 ingly chagrined and mortified that her business and pleasure had 

 been destroyed, and begged of me, when I returned to the north, 

 to inquire if there was any sale for cocoons ; and if so, she would 



