100 SILK IN THE U. S. 



raw and thrown silk were imported. The exports in 1830 amounted to 

 437,880L, an advance of more than 300 per cent, over that during the 

 prohibitory laws. This may be thought a strong proof in favor office 

 international competition in the arts. France in 1824, exported 100 

 million francs worth of silken goods. Both England and France are 

 furnished with much raw silk from Spain. 



In the U. S. great efforts have been made to produce and manufac- 

 ture silk, our climate and other circumstances being highly favorable 

 for these purposes ; but to compete with the long trained manu- 

 facturers of Europe, with a difference of one-half in the price of labor, 

 renders success uncertain at present, unless aided by protective duties. 

 Still, much has been done, and the silk mania a few years since has 

 had the effect to steady and direct the efforts now making to cultivate 

 the mulberry and manufacture silken goods. Every year exhibits pro- 

 gressive improvements ; and it cannot be long before we shall have 

 attained eminence in this branch of industry. A bounty is now given 

 in 12 states, and the products nearly double annually, and the manu- 

 factures increase with the production of the raw material. In Ohio and 

 other western states the manufacture is rapidly increasing. In New 

 England, too, steady progress is making by practical and enterprising 

 men. Many family machines, besides large establishments, are in 

 operation, and the products are found profitable. The progress in this 

 state has been remarkable since the convicts at Auburn have been em- 

 ployed in the business. 



Organzine is worth from $5 to $10 per pound in the gum. 2000 

 bushels of cocoons are said to have been produced in Tennessee last 

 year. $4 per Ib. is now paid for cocoons at manufacturing establish- 

 ments, and one manufactory in Ohio realizes $1,000 per month, at a 

 profit of 10 per cent. 3 cocooneries there fed 2 million worms last 

 year, which are supposed to have yielded $2000. That state paid 

 $6,699 bounty last year, and the reeled silk amounted to 3000 Ibs. 

 The mulberry tree is indigenous to this country, and the worms can 

 be freely raised in every state in the Union. Florida is particularly 

 favorable and is now prepared for the most extensive operations in 

 this important department of our productive industry. The American 

 raw silk, it is said, is superior to the foreign article in brilliancy, 

 strength and scent. The air pump and camphor have been used to 

 destroy the crysilis, by which any injury to the silk is avoided. Other 

 important improvements have been made in this country ; and the 

 after growth of leaves has been profitably used in the manufacture of 

 paper. The amount of the silk crop in the U. S. last year was 244,- 

 124 Ibs. of cocoons. The amount of silk made in 1840 was 15,742 Ibs. ; 

 value of the silk $119,814; persons employed 764, and the capital 

 invested $338,754. 



Silken fabrics. These are numerous, but all depend on different 



