VISTAS IN SILK AND RAMIE 



breaks and three unusual men played star roles in the 

 development of the plot; but it is a straightforward 

 American success story of mechanical ingenuity and 

 commercial courage. 



The Syrian colony at Mingus got the first break. They 

 brought with them Near East traditions of silkworm 

 culture and a highly perfected folkcraft in preparing, 

 spinning, and weaving silk fibers. It was a fortunate 

 happenstance that they settled in a region where mul- 

 berry trees had flourished for years. 



When and where these mulberry trees originally came 

 from, who first planted them and why, are details the 

 local antiquarians debate. Mineral Wells has long been 

 a famous health resort, and the most credible explana- 

 tion is that the mulberries were originally set out in an 

 outburst of civic beautification some fifty years ago. 

 Anyway, they were there, ready when Grandmother 

 Nader hatched out her cherished silkworm eggs, to pro- 

 vide the best of all foods for the voracious worms that 

 spin the silk cocoons. This was indeed fortunate for the 

 half dozen Syrian families. Neighbors were charmed 

 with their beautiful handwoven scarves and the women 

 were soon busy filling orders that provided a handsome 

 equivalent of egg and pickle money. The fame of their 

 luscious fabrics spread, and the Syrian goodwives began 

 adapting some American ideas to their ancient handi- 

 craft. 



The silkworms are not turned loose to browse on the 

 175 



