Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 11.djvu/221

Rh best, is one of the best cultivators of land in Europe. Despite the drawbacks existing for ages in his own country, he has shown heroic resistance, and has confronted misfortunes and persecutions before which many others would have sustained ultimate defeat. In spite of all the disadvantages of climatic conditions, and the varying qualities of land, lack of capital, and wise administration, ignorance of modern agricultural science and its inventions, he has known how to produce cultures of every kind. But in agricultural industry—different from many other forms of work—the most important factor of production is always the man. It is the capacity, the force, of the man that assures the success of a colonizing enterprise. In America, where he would find all the help he could not find in his own country, the Italian peasant would yield marvelous and remunerative results, if placed where he could prove his ability.

Now, as never before, the conditions are propitious for an experiment of this nature. After many trials the cultivation of the mulberry tree in the United States—without which the raising of the silk-worm would be impossible—is an assured fact. There are numerous plantations flourishing in several states, and it can be predicted that its culture will be universal in the South and West. Every Italian peasant understands the mulberry, and knows how to foster the silk-worm with its cocoon. In Italy, anywhere except in a very few provinces, the silk culture is undertaken, at some points being the only culture made, at others subsidiary. In the United States the Italian colonies could propose the extension and exploitation of this new fountain of riches, certain that it would repay largely, especially those who would initiate it. The United States imports all raw silk needed for its manufactories, which consume immense quantities. Such culture, aided by the experience of the Italians, would absolutely assure success.

The establishment of an Italian colonization society in the United States would be looked upon favorably in both countries. Every report of the commissioner of immigration exposes the perils of concentration and exhorts Congress to adopt special