194 [Senatk 



Provide.iCe, that this country, as well as China, was designed to be 

 a great silk growing country. 



7. Resolved, That in view of the experiments made in different 

 parts of the country, as reported to this convention from most of the 

 States of the Union, in feeding worms in a natural state of the atmos- 

 phere, we are happy to regard the question as triumphantly settled — 

 That, in our superior climate, the open shed, or tent, securing to our 

 worms ample shade, and Heaven's pure air essentially unobstructed, 

 is, except in very early or very late feeding, not only all that is 

 needed in the way of building, but intrinsically better than enclosed 

 rooms : Therefore, 



8. Resolved, That 1843 will form a new era in the history of the silk 

 culture in the United States. 



9. Resolved, That the introduction of the foreign varieties of the 

 mulberry tree, and the facility with which they have become accli- 

 mated, and the reasonable rate at which they may now be procured, 

 and propagated, give to the American people every advantage for 

 the vigorous prosecution of the silk culture. 



Whereas, In the feverish excitements of the years 1838 and '39 

 many exaggerated statements were put forth by persons solely 

 interested in trees as an article of speculation, in regard to the profits 

 to be expected from growing silk, and in regard to the intrinsic 

 value of the mulberry tree ; and whereas, in the prostration that 

 came subsequently over this business, the public mind was thrown 

 into a state of complete revulsion, the great body of our people for 

 a time regarding the whole business as a delusion, and mulberry 

 trees as utterly worthless — fit only for the flames and the floods — 

 therefore, 



10. Resolved, That we deem it due to ourselves, and to the public, 

 in all candor to say, as we do say, that the silk culture is, in our 

 judgment, entirely feasible, and may easily become second to no 

 other business in the country; that when conducted with appropriate 

 practical knowledge and skill, and with appropriate facilities, it is 

 more profitable than other ordinary agricultural pursuits ; and that 

 mulberry trees, for the purpose for which they were designed, are 

 intrinsically valuable. 



11. Resolved, That the convention deeply regret the loss which 

 the country has sustained in the wanton and inconsiderate destruction 

 of mulberry trees consequent upon the revulsion above referred to ; 

 and they earnestly recommend to the present owners of trees to pre- 

 serve and multiply them with all due care, knowing that their value 

 for making silk will, in due time, be appreciated. 



12. Resolved, That we are much gratified in beholding the many 

 manifestations of a growing public confidence in the essential merits 

 of the silk business ; and we are herein decidedly encouraged to go 

 forward in the business ourselves, using, at the same time, all appro- 

 priate means to enlighten the public mind, and confirm the public 

 confidence still more fully. For this purpose we will freely commu- 

 nicate to individuals, and to the conductors of the newspaper press, 

 the results of our own experience, and such other information as 



