102 ON SERICICULTURE. 



however, was accomplished to show that the production of 

 good cocoons was no difficult matter. Captain Mason, who 

 has experimented in mulberry silk culture for the last ten 

 years, showed me his Blagnanerie in June, full of worms, 

 all doing remarkably well ; he anticipated a successful sea- 

 son; but about their mid-age a severe thunderstorm, with 

 lightning, killed off a great number ; his crop was therefore 

 light. At Colchester, though the temperatures were very low, 

 the worms did well, and, with one exception, were easily 

 reared; but a delicate French race \3Iorichaud)f producing 

 a Yerv large white cocoon, all failed : the trial, however, con- 

 vinced me that no practical difficulty exists to prevent the 

 rearing of the mulberry worm in England in considerable 

 numbers. 



One or two points it is desirable to mention, in order to 

 dispel ignorance. The ordinary silk-worm, as grown in 

 England and purchased in Covent-garden, spins a small 

 golden-yellow pointed cocoon ; this is of no commercial 

 value. Intending experimenters should therefore obtain good 

 Japanese, Australian, or other sound eggs of healthy races, 

 and of breeds producing a valuable cocoon ; otherwise their 

 labour will fail to meet its full reward. The practical test 

 of all races is the cocoon; sample cocoons should therefore 

 be had of the vendor, and the eggs guaranteed to produce 

 similar cocoons. But the Japanese cards of eggs come over 

 to Europe without sample cocoons, as their races are all well 

 known, and the marks or brands on the back of the cards 

 indicate their origin. 



Many little arts aie practised to economize labour, which 

 are not generally known in this country. 1st. It is desirable, 

 to save labour, that all the worms in the same tray should 

 pass their change at the same time; to effect this, all the 

 worms hatched out on the same day are kept together 



