138 FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT OP 



In China the species is I'vsared in the open air in a wild state, and also 

 in-doors on cut branches kept fresh by insertion in vessels containing water. 

 In this country Mr. Andrews obtained cocoons from the first brood of 

 worms by the 4th of July : the moths began to issue about three weeks 

 later; copulation immediately ensued, and by the middle of August, or 

 about ten days from the time of laying, the second brood of worms began 

 to hatch. He also found that the worms would feed on Beech and Sweet 

 gum. 



The Tusseh Silkworm (Attacus 2fylitta=zAnthercea Paphia),a,n insect 

 found in India, and which is quite common in the wild state, especially in 

 Bahar, Assam and Bengal, feeding on the Bhamnus jujub a, is very closely 

 allied to Pernyi, and should, perhaps, only be considered a. geographical 

 race. It bears the same relation to Pernyi as does the India castor-bean- 

 feeding ricini to the Chinese ailanthus-feeding cynthia ; and differs princi- 

 pally in the cocoon which is more solid, and hangs by a more solid, harder 

 cord. It has never been introduced into America, though its silk is much 

 used in its native country, and, if not put into hot-water, the goods made 

 from it have a wonderful durability. 



SUMMARY. 



There can be no good reason given why silk-culture may not become one 

 of the industries of this countr^^, or of our State — especiall}- if fostered at th.t> 

 start. I would, however, advise no one to enter into it on a large scale, as- 

 a business. The raising of silk is seldom lucrative, even in the most favor- 

 able countries; for in this as in most other industries, the principal profits 

 accrue to the middle men, reelers and manufacturers ; but on a small scale, 

 and prosecuted in connection with other branches of Agriculture and Hor- 

 ticulture, it will give most desirable returns for the time employed. The 

 erection of a few reeling establishments is absolutely necessary to establish 

 this industry. 



For in-door culture, no worm surpasses tlie Mulberry species (mori), 

 out-door culture none at present surpass the Ailanthus species (^yn^^m), 

 though if yama-niai and Pernyi can once be acclimated, their cocoons are 

 more valuable. Of the native worms Polyphemus is the most valuable 

 and important, its silk being easily reeled and of excellent quality: Cecropia 

 comes next in order, its silk being reeled with difficulty, while that of 

 Promethea and Luna is of less value, has never yet been, and probably 

 cannot be, reeled. 



