Saga of the Sanpitch Vol 24

Sericulture, the Silk Industry in Ephraim

HONORABLE MENTION HISTORICAL ESSAY SERICULTURE THE SILK INDUSTRY IN EPHRAIM Virginia Nielson 351 North Main Ephraim Utah 84627 An unusual industry in Utah during pioneer days was sericulture the raising of silk worms for the production of raw silk President Brigham Young felt this could be economically and would women by profitable These were fifty acres carefully of every flourished act From that town and in as Young agents was to on urged in and feeded The United in these in few is scarce the years in trees the over Salt were grown Territory They presidents the spinning in turn the annually lucrative market instruct and delicate from for sericulturalists to donations Utah services those who The needed twisting wheel weaving envelopes from the silk imported potentially Italy Societies machinery looming primarily and of into articles made States Relief solicit reel material Experienced and purchase cycle to of of their districts silk France money planted sericulture silk ing the silk worms and were village used the machinery were of time for attachments worth trees and brethren be completing with when luxuriantly from the sisters money cultivated mulberry President to day During his term as Itah governor about 1856 supply of mulberry seeds from France area nearly this also provide pioneer mothers with finery which nature love such as silk dresses shawls and lace trim he purchased Lake in about France silk fabric 000 000 and Italy growers were obtained raised cover silk from worms Much benefit was derived from these sericulture wasjealously guarded classes In China secret for centuries were hundred so this knowledge involved wasgreat In six weeks boon to those in Utah who seven pounds cocoons were raised these were valued in France and were readily sold The February and wrote wealth and and 15 1894 Sericulture revenue for heartily could the at 00 per pound WomenExponent endorsed this industry besource of considerable Territory 44 of