INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1907-09. 5]^ 



destructive insect Anthrenus vorax; this enquiry was 

 completed and recommendations made for better baling. 

 The question of apiculture was taken up to determine how 

 far bees will thrive in the plains, and whether apiculture 

 can be carried on sufficiently well here to enable it to be a 

 subject for demonstration and teaching; this work is in 

 progress. 



7. Sericulture. — The cultivation of eri-silk was con- 

 tinued, and the process of spinning, dyeing and weaving 

 taken up. This is carried on as a demonstration to 

 students of the value of this silk as a home industry in 

 India, and to enable any one who wishes to start it, to be 

 taught the work practically. A practical spinning 

 machine of a simple kind was devised by Mr. Ghosh which 

 is now in use; it is being improved, and its value is being 

 thoroughly tested. During the meeting of the assistants 

 in March last, the work was taught to them, so that they 

 could, if opportunity arose, give advice. The Superin- 

 tendent of Sericulture of the Baroda Government also came, 

 as this silk has been introduced in Gujarat. The publica- 

 tion of an article in the A gricultural Journal of India, the 

 exhibition at the Muzafferpur show and the work of the 

 Baroda Agricultural Department, have drawn attention to 

 the possibilities of this silk ; it is being taken up in Tirhoot, 

 Gujarat and elsewhere, and enc|uiries about it have been 

 received from every province; eggs have been supplied 

 free, or at a small price, to all who have asked for them, and 

 the work has been shown to many enquirers. It is prob- 

 able that this silk will be taken up in many parts of India, 

 and that an industry will spring up, similar to that exist- 

 ing in Assam, which will give light remunerative work to 

 women and children. Arrangements were made to supply 

 cocoons for spinning as a famine relief work for furdah 

 women in one district, and the work is being organised in 

 some Tirhoot indigo concerns. It may be noted that the 

 staff for this work consists of one assistant newly appoint- 

 ed, a fieldman and the coolies actually doing the work in 



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