THE CYNTHIA SILK-WORM. 319 

some few at least to bestir themselves in so important a 
matter. But failing this, what objection is there to the 
State Government affording a little assistance in starting an 
enterprise promising to be of such great benefit to the peo- 
ple? I look upon an enterprise of this kind as of the nature 
of building a railroad, or constructing a telegraph line, the 
benefits to be derived from which, being of a public nature, 
come very properly under the immediate supervision of the 
government. . It would be out of place in this journal to go 
minutely into such things as the duties of governments in 
fostering national industry, but I may be permitted to say, 
that, although disapproving of the principle of protective 
tariffs, I see nothing conflicting with my convictions on this 
point in saying, that, if the timidity of individual capitalists 
can be overcome in no other way, the State Governments 
would be justified in making advances, or in offering boun- 
ties, sufficient in amount to guarantee parties embarking in 
the enterprise of silk manufacture against any actual tempo- 
loss. 
In England, as I am told, private enterprise is doing all 
this. Wealthy individuals are largely cultivating the ailanthus 
for the Cynthia, and are encouraging parties in rearing the 
ama-mai, and other silk-producers ; and why should not as 
much enterprise and patriotism be found here? To be sure, 
entomologists are not there laughed at for being *bug-hunt- 
rs 3” and there are numbers of ready hands willing and anx- 
lous to assist in the undertaking ; but I am not without hope 
that sufficient intelligence will be found amongst ourselves to 
enable people to understand that a devotion to the study of 
ature’s laws, even in the insect world, is not incompatible 
with the possession of, at least, average common sense. 
i Let it not be forgotten that the rearing of the Cynthia, o 
. silk-producer, is not a new, untried experiment. The Chi- 
nese, for a longer period than I should like to mention, have 
manufactured silk from its cocoons; the garments made from 
Possessing a durability quite annoying to ladies of the 


