Vol. XV. No. 381. 



THE AGRICULTUKAL NEWS. 



391 



taken from the Experiment Station Record (Vol. 8.5, 

 No. -5), will be read with interest: — 



The fat in ground cotton seed was found to hydrolyze 

 rapidly into fatty acids. This hydrolysis may amount to 

 S-'i per cent, of the fat in three weeks. 



In cotton seed from seed-cotton gathered dry and stored 

 for three weeks in a common farm cotton house and in 

 a cotton-oil mill seed house in lots of 4,500 and 7 oOO lb., 

 respectively, no appreciable changes except a reduction in the 

 moisture content occurred. Dry cotton seed stored in 

 a common farmhouse in a 3,000-fc. lot in a pile 12 by 12 by 

 4 feet did not deteriorate during the period of oil-mill opera- 

 tion. A slight logs of moisture in the samples caused correspond- 

 ingly small increases in the percentage of protein and fat. 

 The free fatly acids in the fat and the total acidity of this 

 seed did not increase to any significant extent. Cotton seed 

 stored in an oil-mill seed house in a •5,000-Ib. lot in a pile 

 12x12x6 feet, dried out in storage and then heated. 

 During heating the free fatty acids in the fat increased from 

 2'26 to 11 "89 per cent., and the total acidity from 28 c.c. of 

 normal alkali per kilogramme of seed to 91 c.c. A slight 

 protein hydrolysis was observed. 



The free fatty acids in the fat of samples of fresh cotton 

 seed at the time of picking was less than 2 per cent, of the 

 fat, and the total acidity of the seed was about 25 c.c. of 

 normal alkali per kilogramme of seed. It is deemed probable 

 that the increase in the free fatty acids and in acidity is due to 

 heating and not to ageing of the seed. Cotton seed stored in 

 lots of 1,000 lb. did not deteriorate in storage. 



It is indicated that in extreme cases of heating the 

 carbohydrates, fats and proteins of the stored seed are attacked, 

 and analytical data submitted show that the hydrolysis of the 

 fat may reach 70 per cent., and that of the protein Zo percent. 

 When cotton seed heats, the fats decompose the most readily, 

 and it was observed that this may take place to a considerable 

 extent before the other constituents begin to undergo change. 

 The acidity of fresh cotton seed is regarded as due only 

 partially to fatty acids from the fat, but it is pointed out 

 that in heated seed the content of free fatty acids is as great 

 as, or greater than, is necessary to account for the total 

 acidity. It is concluded that unless cotton seed heats badly, 

 the meal made from it will be as valuable for feeding as meal 

 made from unhealed seed, but that the oil from even slightly 

 heated cotton seed is worth considerably less than oil from 

 fresh seed. 



A SILK CAMP. 



The Piomer Mail has received the following from the 

 Salvation Army headquarters at Simla : — 



Perhaps the only mulberry forest in the world is to be 

 found at Changa Manga, near Lahore. It is some 10,000 

 acres in extent, and has hitherto only been used for purposes 

 of fuel and timber. It demonstrates that mulberry can be 

 profitably grown by Government and private individuals for 

 fuel and timber purposes, apart altogether from its great 

 value in providing food for silkworms. 



Some months ago Commissioner Booth Tucker asked 

 the permission of the Punjab Government to take advantage 

 of the immense supply of foliage in this forest to establish 

 an annual silk camp during the months of February and 



March for the rearing of silkworms on a large scale, with 

 a view of popularizing the industry throughout the Punjab 

 and other parts of India, and in order to demonstrate the 

 best methods for rearing silkworms. The Lieutenant-Governor 

 expressed his cordial approval of the scheme, and .5 acres 

 have been assigned within the forest for the purpose of the 

 silk camp. 



Operations were commenced early in January, when 

 a party was sent in advance to make the preliminary 

 arrangements for erecting sheds and preparing accommodation 

 for some 2 to 3 million silkworms. 



As far back as May 191-5, a supply of disease-free eggs 

 of the best varieties had been ordered from Europe. They 

 reached the Simla Silk School in October, and were there 

 hibernated in a special machine provided for the purpo-ise. 



This preparation for the silkworm industry is of recent 

 introduction, but it is an important link in the successful 

 rearing of the best varieties. It helps to ensure a vigorous 

 race of worms, which will produce cocoons rich in silk, and 

 also protects them from disease. 



Special hatching machines of a simple pattern have been 

 utilized by the Salvation Army during the last three or fouT 

 years. The use of these and their value for hatching pur- 

 poses will be demonstrated. They ensure uniform heat, and 

 enable the eggs to hatch out simultaneously, thus avoiding 

 much trouble, delay, and loss of eggs from chill. 



Different systems will be demonstrated in the silk 

 camp. The two chief dangers to be guarded against are 

 excessive heat and excessive cold, with violent variation 

 between the two. The various systems will be demonstrated, 

 and the students, workers, and visitors will be allowed to 

 judge for themselves which they consider best, or which will 

 be most suitable for their own locality. 



One large shed has been prepared on a system which 

 guards both again.st cold and excessive heat. This has been 

 introduced with great success at the Salvation Army silk farm 

 at Moradabab A trench is made about 100 feet long, 12 feet 

 broad, and 3 feet deep. The excavated earth makes a wall 

 about 3 feet high with a thick thatched roof, and a doorway 

 at e%ch end. In a dugout of this character worms have been 

 successfully reared in the hot weather. 



The Persian system of a shed on poles raised abore 

 the ground, where the air can freely percolate all round, and 

 leaves can be stored underneath to get rid of extra moisture 

 when there has been heavy rainfall, will also be demonstrated. 



In Japan and Europe it is u.sual to rear the silkworms 

 on shelves, carefully arranged, tier on tier. This economises 

 space and gives the worms the best individual care. In 

 Kashmir, and most parts of India, the worms are usually 

 reared upon the ground, branchlets of mulberry twigs being 

 heaped on top of each other. This ensures economy of 

 labour — an important consideration. Instead of six or seven 

 feedings during the twenty-four hours only two are necessary, 

 morning and evening. The respective advantages of both 

 .systems will be demonstrated. 



Besides the large sheds for the hatching of the worms, 

 there are more than fifty tents for the accommodation of the 

 workers of the staff, and for lectures and demonstration. The 

 camp is already a hive of industry, with about 100 workers. 

 It is intended to increase the number to 150, as the worms 

 increase in size and need more attention. {Journal of the 

 Royal Society of Arts, for August 25, 1916.) 



