tas ’ - —_ 
REPORT OF THD ENTOMOLOGIST, ae 
the Silk-worm, Italy, where silk culture is one of the principal 
sources of wealth, was not long in following this example, and in the 
month of April, 1871, a royal decree established at Padua an insti- 
tution called ‘‘ The Experimental Sericultural Station.” The Italian 
Government and the city and chamber of cominerce of Padua pay 
the expenses of this institution. Its objects are: 
(1) To study the raising of Silk-worms under the best conditions, 
and experiment with the products thereof, 
(2) To study the feeding of Silk-worms both by means of physio- 
logical and chemical experiments, 
(3) To study the causes of the diseases of Silk-worms and of the 
Mulberry, 
(4) To produce and distribute healthy Silk-worm eggs and to ex- 
amine eggs for silk-growers. 
(5) To experiment with new varieties of eggs, as well as with all 
other articles which concern the magnaneris, 
(6) To undertake all such studies and experiments as might be 
useful to sericulture. 
(7) To distribute circulars and to deliver lectures so as to make 
generally known the best means of succeeding in silk culture. 
(8) To give the greatest possible publicity to all matters connected 
with the sericultural industry in the Kingdom of Italy. 
The governing body of the sericultural station consists of an ad- 
ministrative council, of which the director isa member, the members 
of the council hold office for three years, one-third of its member- 
ship going out of office each year. 
The director is the chief of the institution, and his staff consists of 
a deputy and an assistant. It is their duty to do everything, either 
by study or by experiment, to advance the industry in the Kingdom. 
Beside the building occupied by the station there is also a green- 
house for Mulberry trees, the leaves of which are employed in mak- 
ing advance educations, that is to say, educations before the usual 
season. There is also a small plantation containing a collection of 
the best varieties of Mulberry trees. Besides the magnanerie there 
is also a small filature of two basins used in testing the quality of 
cocoons. c 
The apparatus of the station consists of twenty microscopes, from 
several of the best makers, of plaster models, of maps, of incubators, 
etc., in a word, of all articles relating to silk culture. 
Every month this station publishes a journal called “The Bulle- 
tin of Sericulture.” (Bulletino di Bachicoltura.) 
Kvery year there are two classes instructed; one of men, which 
lasts three months (April, May, and June), another of women (Jul 
and August). The station has done inestimable service for sericul- 
ture, it having granted diplomas to 250 pupils, who now occupy 
places in the sericultural observatories and spread their knowledge 
among silk-growers. 
EXPERIMENTAL SILK FILATURE AT WASHINGTON. 
The first reeling done in the experimental silk filature of the Depart- 
ment was during the week ending October 30,1886. The consump- 
tion of the crop of the season of 1886 was terminated on August 13, 
1887. During that period the work was not continuous, but was in- 
terrupted at various times and for various causes. In the nine and 
one-half months covered by the period mentioned, 1,057 pounds of 
