No. 2 16. J 729 



In all business pursuits there have been periods of interruption, and 

 why should the culture of silk be exempt? 



It has been said, that for reasons of State, the culture of the \ine 

 in Europe, was suspended for a period of two hundred years, and 

 then, by the example of a few patriotic individuals, resuscitated- 

 Crowds of both sexes and all ages, embarked in a business, where 

 all could take a part; and why may not we hope for a similar result 

 in silk culture, which has been suspended or interrupted by various 

 causes, and want of suitable protection? Among the causes of in- 

 terruption, the tree speculation is prominent, and stands foremost. 

 Many persons rushed into the business, professedly for growing silk, 

 while the true motive was only to traffic in trees. Those who spe- 

 culated with borrowed capital, depended on the sale of trees to meet 

 their responsibilities, to accomplish which they began to offer trees at 

 reduced prices, underselling each other, until the people became con- 

 vinced that the owners considered the trees of but little value; this state 

 of things paralised the silk business, which was improperly identified 

 with the tree speculation. But there is hope in prospect, there may 

 have been other minor causes combined, like small streamlets rushinp: 

 to the main current, contra to the hopes of the friends of silk culture 

 deluged our fair country with apparent ruin of silk culture; a few 

 stanch friend.^ have stood at their posts, others are now coming for- 

 ward to the rescue undismayed, and with determined resolution to co- 

 operate with its friends and the American Institute, to sustain the silk 

 cause, with such leaders the friends of silk culture may expect the 

 best results. Since the last annual meeting of the Institute I have 

 tried an experiment which answers my most sanguine expectation, ren- 

 dering the slow process of picking mulberry foliage,wbo]ly unnecessary. 



By the improved mode of cultivating the mulberry, and collectinf^ 

 the augmented feed for the worms, united with the former appliances 

 of open hurdles and Gills cradles, there will be a great saving of 

 time and expense to the silk grower. 



The culture of silk in America began at the South, and by recent 

 information, there is encouragement to hope that it will resuscitate 

 and again spread over the land, and confirm the belief of the Ameri- 

 rican Institute and the whole community, " that with experience and 

 proper application of skill and industry, fostered by wise protecting 

 laws, silk culture cannot fail of becoming one of th'e great staples of 

 American revenue. 



