No. 85.] 485 



hold in grateful recollection the names of a Styles, Aspinwall, Clark, 

 and a few others, who early engaged in the introduction of silk cul- 

 ture into the northern and eastern States, periling their time and 

 property in the great and good cause in which they were engaged. 



The Rev. Dr. Wigglesworth, of Cambridge, is recorded to have 

 raised the first silk worms in New-England, in 1737. How, and 

 where he obtained the eggs, is not told us. Between the years 1747- 

 50, the Hon. Jonathan Law, Governor of Connecticut, wore the first 

 silk cravat, and his daughter the first silk gown made of American 

 silk of their own raising. In subsequent years, the culture of silk 

 was attended with good success and profit, until suspended by the 

 operation of the war of the Revolution, during which, and several 

 years after, very little was done in New-England, except in Mansfield 

 and its vicinity. There was then in existence no general understand- 

 ing or union about the culture of silk : no patronage of a public in- 

 stitution like that of the American Institute of the present day. The 

 trees then used were of the white mulberry, but within the 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 

 introduction of these varieties, there has been a gradual advance in 

 the propagation of trees and growing silk, until, and in consequence 

 of the disaster of the tree speculation ; after which, a wanton de- 

 struction 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 country can take the stand in silk cul- 

 ture 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 independence of the United States, 

 there must be a rapid reproduction of the mulberry tree. And as 

 there is a great variety, each of which had been extolled by the spec- 

 ulators, even before the respective qualities had been tested, it is of 

 importance to select such a variety, as under all circumstances, is 

 most deserving — producing the most nutritious foliage, retaining its 

 verdure in the greatest perfection through the season of feeding, even 

 to the close of the year — for which the worms have a decided prefe- 

 rence, producing a rapid growth of the worm, and an enlarged co- 

 coon, and affording more silk : especially if we are to approximate 

 the mark which has been set up by a gentleman of high considera- 

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

 trees, but being an ardent friend to the cause, is of the opinion that 

 we can and must 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 mechani- 

 cal tact are a suflficient guarantee that we can do much, that we can 

 compete with the cheap labor of any country whatever ; but to carry 

 out this position, the united aid and patronage of both sexes should 

 be put in requisition. The influence of woman has been powerful in 

 church and State; the time was, when the spinning wheel was an ac- 

 companiment for the social circle. Are there not some now living, 

 who, in by gone days, have assisted the ladies in transporting the 



