to REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCfi 



arranged for the Allahabad Exhibition; show cases, 

 coloured plates with brief descriptive leaflets, and coloured 

 lantern slides, were issued for demonstration and distribu- 

 tion to those interested. 



Sericulture continues to form an important branch of 

 the work. Eri silk production has been developed as a 

 cottage industry in many parts of India, and received a 

 great stimulus through the display arranged at the Allaha- 

 bad Exhibition, and smaller exhibits shown at local shows 

 in Bengal. The industry has been taken up by the Agri- 

 cultural Departments of Bengal and the United Provinces. 

 Difficulty is still experienced in disposing of small parcels 

 of cocoons and thread, the mills being unwilling to buy 

 except in large quantities. Experiments in mulberry silk 

 production have been extended. Crosses were effected be- 

 tween European univoltine and indigenous multivoltine 

 races, with a view to obtaining a robust multivoltine race, 

 yielding silk of better quality than is produced by native 

 forms. Broods of European mulberry silk-worms were 

 successfully reared at Pusa, the resultinc^ thread being well 

 reported on by the trade. Experimental work forms only 

 a part of the activities of the sericultural branch; a great 

 volume of correspondence has arisen in connection with it, 

 and arrangements for the supply of disease-free eggs, 

 castor seed, samples of cloth and machines for spinning, 

 doubling and twisting have required much organising. 

 Twenty students from various parts of India attended the 

 special courses of practical instruction in silk culture 

 during the year. 



Lac culture was continued, and a practical training- 

 given to students in this subject. A large amount of 

 material was collected, with a view to working out the 

 races of lac insects in collaboration with Mr. Green of 

 Ceylon, a specialist in the group. 



Bees of two specially selected Italian .^trains were im- 

 ported, and an attempt is being made to acclimatise them 

 at Pusa. Apiculture is still, however, in the experimental 

 stage. 



