48 THE CALIFORNIA 



deal towards engaging a large number in this sure and 

 profitable business, and I shall have the pleasure of 

 detailing to you and your readers to-day, what it is. 

 These are the facts : 



I had lately the pleasure to have the visit of two 

 representatives of the two largest silk houses in Europe, 

 on their return from China, where they bought a very 

 large quantity of silkworm eggs. They are on their 

 way back to France. They took the cars to see me, 

 and get information about the silk culture in California. 

 These gentlemen are scientific and practical silk-grow- 

 ers and manufacturers. I told them everything about 

 our climate and the silk in California. I have shown 

 them my silk cocoons, and where I have raised them ; 

 the mulberry trees, etc. I gave them cocoons and 

 eggs as a present for their houses, and they gave me a 

 fine lot of a very good variety of silkworm eggs from 

 China. Knowing the silk business thoroughly, they 

 were apt to understand and appreciate everything per- 

 taining to it. They were so very well pleased with 

 what they have learned in their visit to San Jose, that 

 they are coming back next summer, each of them with 

 the necessary capital to buy something like one hundred 

 acres each, to raise silk and silkworm eggs on a large 

 scale ; and they very likely will be the cause of several 

 other silk-growers to come from Europe. 



What do you think, Colonel ? Is it not your opinion 

 also, that after 'this the silk business will be fairly 

 started in California ? All this gives me the idea to 

 write to France, to some of the leading papers, about 



