a Me 
REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 191 
As to the quality of the cocoons purchased this year we have al- 
ready spoken. That they might have been better had they been 
stifled properly and in large quantities is also very apparent. The 
great importance of this systematic stifling has led us to give much 
thought to the matter and to try some experiments for the purpose of 
establishing the comparative value of our best American cococns 
and of good cocoons of Italian production. For this purpose a 
quantity of Italian cocoons were imported this fall and the filature 
was occupied for a week in their consumption. The week before we 
had been employed in reeling a lot oi first-grade American cocoons, 
well sorted, which had given us a weekly production of 13% pounds 
of silk, with a rendition of 3.557 pounds, or a recovery of 28.1 per 
cent. of silk. The Italian cocoons were, on the contrary, reeled just 
as they were received, without sorting, and while they gave a rendi- 
tion of only 3.778 pounds, or 26.4 per cent., they gave a weekly pro- 
duction of 154 pounds of silk. The cause of thelower rendition was 
due to the lack of sorting, and of the improved production to the 
fact that the Italian cocoons were all stifled together, while the 
American lot was made up of a number of smaller ones, stifled by 
different persons, with the use of different methods, operated at dit- 
ferent degrees of temperature. The importance of all cocoons in a 
lot being uniformly stifled appears in the cooking of the cocoons, for 
it is necessary to cook an overstifled cocoon longer in order to soften 
its gum than it is to cook one stifled at the proper temperature. The 
result then is, in a mixed lot, that in order to cook the overstified 
cocoons we boil the others to pieces and they give off too great a pro- 
portion of waste. 
It is hoped that special arrangements may be made to purchase 
fresh cocoons this year, thus enabling silk-growers to dispose of their 
crops and to receive their money therefor about three months earlier 
than usual, and at the sametime avoid the possible destruction of 
their cocoons through improper stifling or care. The advantage to 
be derived by the Department through systematic and regular stifling 
will be such as to enable us to offer 40 cents a pound for the best 
fresh cocoons, which is equivalent to at least $1.20 for dry cocoons, 
instead of $1.15, the highest price yet paid. 
One of the chief burdens hitherto imposed upon silk-growers has 
been the onerous transportation rates charged on their shipments, 
which in many cases haye eaten up the profits, which at the best 
were small. Jn our earnest desire to establish this industry in the 
United States we shall do all in our power to lessen this burden the 
coming season. To what extent we can aid silk-growers in this mat- 
ter will be stated more fully in a circular to be issued later in the 
year. 
The importance both to the silk-growers and silk-reelers of the 
success of this plan to purchase fresh cocoons can not be overesti- 
mated, and this success will largely depend on the quantity of fresh 
cocoons which are purchased. And further, the ability of the silk- 
grower to send in his crop during the limited period when fresh co- 
coons are purchased must depend upon the promptness with which 
he puts his Silk-worm eggs to hatch upon the appearance of the first 
buds upon the food plants from which he intends to nourish his 
worms. While, however, early raising is strongly urged upon all 
silk-growers, it must not be forgotten that there is always danger 
from late frosts, which may kill the leaves and deprive the young 
worms of their food. 
