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[From the California Farmer, August 30, 18B(>.] 

 SILK CULTURE NEW SERIES. 



LETTER NUMBER FOUR BY L. PREVOST. 



SAN JOSE, August 26, 1866. 

 COL. WARREN, Editor California Farmer : 



DEAR SIR The production of silk seems designed 

 for female hands. It is suited to their ability, and 

 promises as large returns for the labor bestowed as any 

 other employment. In every period in the history of 

 silk it has actually received the fostering encourage- 

 ment of female influence. Queens and noble ladies 

 have been its patrons, and the noblest daughters of our 

 land would be honored by devoting their time to the 

 production of silk in some of its stages. May we not 

 hope that an article which enters so largely into the 

 wardrobe of our wives and our daughters, which more 

 than other fabrics adorns their persons, will receive 

 their fostering care ? Indeed, vast as may be the im- 

 portance of the introduction of silk culture to our coun- 

 try, I .despair of witnessing its complete success until 

 our fair countrywomen actually engage in its produc- 

 tion ; and one of the most cheerful signs of the time is, 

 that this to some extent, is already the case. When 

 your daughters shall walk abroad in silks which their 

 own hands have aided to produce, then the culture of 

 silk as a source of national wealth will no longer be 

 doubtful. Is it a fact, that grazing and dairy-making 

 sections of our country are usually more independent 



