254 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



parts of the Carolinas and Georgia bordering on the mountains, 

 would seem to be exactly adapted to the growth of the mulberry 

 and the cultivation of silk. 



Some gentlemen here tell us that the cultivation of fruit is 

 more profitable ; that is certainly true in the vicinity of such 

 markets as this, provided you have the knowledge and the perse- 

 verance to conquer the insect enemies that are now so fearfully 

 threatening that business. Others say that grain can be raised 

 to more advantage ; that, however, may become a question of 

 transportation. Corn is now raised in portions of our country 

 where it is used as fuel. The eighty cents per bushel that it 

 would bring in the New York market, would be but little more 

 than enough to pay the cost of bringing the fifty-eight lbs. here. 

 Can any one of you tell Avhat would be the value of fifty-eight 

 lbs, of cocoons, or of the reeled silk, in this market, and which 

 would cost but little more for transportation than eighty cents 

 worth of corn ? 



But in many sections of country where the land is uneven and 

 the soil light, fruits and grain can hardly be raised to advantage 

 even if convenient to a market. The great, rich West, has such 

 boundless advantages. These higher lands can be of no value 

 if distant from cheap transportation, unless devoted to the culti- 

 vation of such a product as silk ; and it would apjDcar as almost 

 a providential arrangement, that just such sections are exactly 

 adapted both to the growth of the mulberry tree and the health 

 of the silk worm. 



Now, if in the course of human events, king cotton should be 

 dethroned by some insect regicide, which has several times been 

 threatened, and this Yankee nation be compelled to engage in 

 the growth of silk, we certainly seem to have everything that 

 can be required. 



Much is said about the power of cotton. I once overheard a 

 conversation on this subject, between two very excited indi- 

 viduals. One said, " what would you do if we would not let you 

 have our cotton ?" The other replied, "what would you do if 

 we Avould'nt take your cotton ?" A third party stepped up and 

 blandly said, let me compromise this matter. To the first one he 

 quietly said — if you raise cotton and want to sell, I'll buy it of 

 you and pay the cash. To the other he says — if you manufac- 

 ture cotton and want some, I'll supply your spindles and give you 

 credit. This third party is a merchant — that is his business — ■ 



