INTRODUCTION. 



Last spring, when I agreed to write this Manual, it was not my in- 

 tention, as an introduction to it, to re-publish all the letters that I had 

 already written for the different papers on that important and rich 

 culture, and for some time I thought it would not be necessary ; but 

 lately, in speaking with some friends, who are also friends of the silk 

 cause, they requested me to do it, and I have concluded to do so.. I 

 must confess here, that it was not very hard to determine me, as 1 

 really feel happy and proud to lay them before my readers ; because,, 

 in perusing them, they will find by the results to-day that every word 

 of what I have said about that rich industry in California, even from 

 the time I began, is true. This will prove to them that my principles 

 are, not to say or write anything except what I am convinced of. 



I had to search for the different papers to cut out my letters from, 

 and, being in a hurry, I may have omitted some, but I have most of 

 them. 



There are also a great number of very good articles on that sub- 

 ject in all the principal papers of the State. I will try to collect as 

 many as possible, and re-publish them also ; but, as it is late in the 

 season, I will not have time for this first edition : they will be com- 

 piled for the second. 



By these letters, you will observe that my opinion on Silk in Cali- 

 fornia has been always the same. I have said in early days, and re- 

 peated it up to the present time, that we are in flie best silk country in 

 the world, I still maintain the assertion. I have stated my reasons in 

 my letters, and these reasons were and are the same to-day : because 



