No. 124.] 321 



that of the American Institute of the present day. The trees then 

 used were of the white mulberry, but within tiie last ten or fifteen 

 years, other varieties have been introduced, having a larger leaf and 

 equally adapted to the nourishment of the worm. Since the intro- 

 duction of these varieties, there has been a gradual advance in the 

 propagation of trees and cjrowing silk, until, and in consequence of 

 the disaster of the tree specula'ion ; alter which a wanton destruc- 

 tion of the mulberry extended to every part of the country, where 

 they had been introduced. 



Now this state of things must be counteracted, and before the coun- 

 try can take the stand in silk culture which would be desirable, or 

 even needful to establish it on a footing which it merits ; and would we 

 brighten the chain of union connected with the prosperity and indepen- 

 dence of the United States, there must be a rapid reproduction of the 

 mulberry tree. AnJ as there is a great variety, each of wliich had 

 been extolled by the speculators, even before the respective qualities had 

 been tested, it is of importance to select such variety, as under all 

 circumstances, is most deserving — producing the most nutricious foliage, 

 retaining iis verdure in the greatest perfection through the season of 

 feeding, even to the close of the year — for which the worms have a de- 

 cided preference, producing a rapid growth of the worm and an enlarg- 

 ed cocoon and affording more silk : especially if we are to approximate 

 the mark, which has been set up by a gentleman of high consideration, 

 who has been neither interested in the raising, buying or selling trees : 

 but being an ardent friend of the silk cause, is of opinion that we can 

 and 7nHst raise fifty millions worth of silk per annum in ten years. 



As an encouragement to effect that desirable amount, we have the 

 appropriate soil and climate, our habits of industry and mechanical tact, 

 are a sufficient guarantee that we can do nuich, that we can compete 

 with the cheap labor of any coimtry whatever ; but to carry out this 

 position the united aid and patronage of both sexes should be put in re- 

 quisition. The influence of woman has been powerful in church and 

 state — the time was when the spinning 7vheel was an accompaniment 

 for the social circle. Are there not some now living, who in by-gone 

 days, have assisted the ladies in transporting the w^heel from house to 

 house, on these social occasions? Indeed, I know of one. 



But since the introduction of machinery to take the place of hand la- 

 bor, the spinning of wool, cotton, and flax, in a domestic way, has be- 

 come quite unfashionable, even in the most retired districts of the 

 country. 



It would be a Herculean task to introduce the manufacture of wool, 

 cotton or fJax into the families even of the wilderness, without meeting 

 at the very threshold the objection "that it would cost ten times more to 

 manufaciure the article in our houses, than it could be purchased lor at 

 the stores." Here the good man of the house is brought to a dead stand 

 with his wife and daughteis: who do not take into consideration that 

 072fi 7;o«??(/ of silk may be worth one hundred poimds of flax ; while 

 the difference in the cost of production is such as to be greatly in favor 

 of the silk crop — almost equal to the difference between one cent and 

 one dollar. The labor required is light and pleasant, and much more 



[Senate No. 124. j Qq 



