1646 



SERICULTURE 



tage of the classes and registered a daily attendance during the 3 years 191 1 

 to 1913 in spite of the fact that their homes were 10 miles away. The total 

 number of men entered over the period was 30 of which 12 were awarded 

 the prize. In 1913, owing to an epidemic of flacherie arising irom some eggs 

 imported from France, the number of worms submitted for examination 

 was vastly increased. 



4) The baking of cocouns. — Until the Station was established the 

 rearers in the district had no proper baking plant, so that they were obliged 

 to market their cocoons without delay and often lost over their hurried 

 transactions. The baking was immediatel}' undertaken by the Station 

 free of charge and the value of the treatment was so clearly and quickly 

 demonstrated that a cooperative society was soon formed for the erection of 

 ovens on the Murcia plain. In the 3 years 1911 to 1913 the new plant 

 dealt with over 25 tons of cocoons for its members, while the Station 

 treated about 22 tons in 191T and 8 tons in 1912. 



In 1 913, no heating was done at the Station as the oven in the new pre- 

 mises was not yet ready. 



5) The free distribution of eggs. — In Table II are set out de- 

 tails of the distribution of silkworm eggs. 



Tabi,e II. — Silk-worm eggs distributed 

 by the Silk Experiment Station of Murcia between 1910-1913. 



6) Demonstration farms. — In cases where the nature and position 

 of a farm and the quality of its farmer make it .suitable for demonstration 

 purposes, the Station provides a free equipment. This includes yoitng 

 mulberry trees to supplement or enlarge the plantations, graine and all the 

 apparatus requirerl for the rearing of silkworms, including an incubator. 

 When possible, a skilled workman is also sent from the Station for the 

 rearing season, but in any case help and advice are always given and these 

 demonstration farms are looked upon as official .sub-stations. During the 3 

 3^ears 1911 to 1913, 39 such farms were established. 



7) Free distribution of rnidberry cuttings and seeds. — From 1910 

 to 1913, 69 753 cuttings and t8 lbs. of seed were distributed. 



8) Neic headquarters of the Station. — Th«? vStatc has taken over 

 land from the Province in order that the Station should be enlarged and 

 reorganised. The grounds no v. include 2 % acres of newly planted mul- 

 berries, 210001-year old trees, 210002-year old trees, and 90003-year 



