53 



hatched over 5 ounces. The average consumption of the whole number 

 was 4.05 ounces, and the average product was 108.94: pounds of co- 

 coons. 



In Spain the largest portion of the crop was from Japanese eggs, 

 which have been quite successful in that country ; the progeny of the 

 imported eggs generally improve in size and quality upon their parents; 

 they are generally green. A native yellow breed, raised in the mount- 

 ains, is highly esteemed. Some Chinese cocoons are well spun, but are 

 deficient in weight of silk. The aggregate product was 5,296,000 pounds 

 of cocoons, from which about 384,000 pounds of raw silk were realized. 



The crop of Syria was estimated at 3,771,800 j)ouuds of cocoons and 

 236,900 pounds of raw silk. 



The crop of Broussia was 2,644,800 pounds of cocoons, yielding 

 170,580 pounds of raw silk. 



Greece produced about 2,248,000 pounds of cocoons. 



Volo and Salon ica, in European Turkey, exported 330,000 pounds of 

 dried cocoons, equivalent to about three times that quantity of fresh 

 ones and to 72,000 pounds of raw silk. 



Italy stands at the head of silk production, excelling in scientific 

 study, practical methods, sericultural stations, and publications of all 

 sorts. From the report of the minister of commerce and agriculture, it 

 appears that in Piedmont the breeding of silk-worms was very satisfac- 

 tory, the best results being obtained with imi)orted Japanese eggs, 

 though some of these failed to germinate on account of imperfect pres- 

 ervation. Their progeny have had various success in reproduction, in 

 some cases excelling the parent breed. The product of cocoons in Pied- 

 mont averaged from 55 to 66 pounds per ounce of eggs. In Lombardy, 

 the yield was still better than in Piedmont ; the reproduced eggs gave 

 better results. The cocoon product averaged nearly 80 pounds per 

 ounce of eggs for Japanese and 44 for native eggs. The crop was satis- 

 factory in Veuetia, where the market-prices were enhanced. In Liguria, 

 where reproduced eggs were more generally used, the result was, on the 

 whole, good. The silk industry of the kingdom was generally prosper- 

 ous in spite of the failure to germinate in many localities, though a news- 

 paper published at Turin, II Oommercio Italiano, thinks the official fig- 

 ures too glowing for the reality. The native white and yellow breeds 

 and the reproduced Japanese were not generally successful. 



Brown County, Minnesota. — The following items are condensed 

 from a communication from the secretary of the agricultural association 

 of this county : Quite a number of the farmers insured their crops in 

 the Wisconsin Mutual Hail Insurance Company. In June last a hail- 

 storm did extensive damage, and the insured received as indemnity sums 

 ranging from $25 to $800. The secretary thinks the liabilities to dam- 

 age from hail-storms are so great throughout the Northwest that the 

 practice of insuring crops against them should become general. But 

 much greater damage was done in the county last season by grasshop- 

 pers than by hail. Three towns raised about half crops, and the remain- 

 der from that down to nothing. Corn was damaged the least; many 

 farmers had full average crops ; the secretary, 50 bushels shelled corn to 

 the acre. The association has introduced a new variety of mammoth 

 squashes, from which specimens have been raised ranging from 70 to 125 

 pounds each. They are reported good for stock, but too watery for cook- 

 ing. Buckthorn plants, one year old, purchased and set last spring, 

 have done well, and promise to meet a want for hedges. The attention 



