14 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



and the succeeding report will contain accounts of the observations. 

 Insects injurious to agriculture are constantly making their appearance 

 either through importation or by the sudden acquisition of destructive 

 habits by species before considered innoxious ; hence this branch of study 

 requires of the division much time and attention. 



The correspondence of this division has increased greatly during the 

 past six months, and it is entirely beyond the power of the clerical force 

 of the division to give that prompt attention to inquiries upon the sub- 

 ject of insects injurious to agriculture that come from all parts of the 

 country. 



During the latter part of last winter, twenty ounces of imported silk- 

 worm eggs, the majority from Japan, and»the rest purchased from relia- 

 ble French dealers, were distributed among some fifty persons desirous 

 of commencing silk culture. The reports so far received seem to dem- 

 onstrate, beyond a doubt, the possibility of the successful culture of 

 silk in almost every part of the country. Unskilled persons have, with 

 the help and advice of the department, in nearly every instance brought 

 a large proportion of the worms successfully to the spinning point. 



Experiments conducted during April, May, and June, 1879, confirm 

 the opinion that Osage orange is but little inferior to Morns mnlticmiUs 

 as silk-worm food ; and the demonstration of this fact necessarily en- 

 larges the possibilities of the industry in this country. 



A correspondent writing from Bengal, India, and who has served an 

 apprenticeship at silk raising in that country, with an atlditional experi- 

 ence of five years in the business, makes a proi)Osition to the depart- 

 ment to transport and acclimate the "Tusser" silk worm in the proi^er 

 latitudes of this country, to the extent of one thousand pounds of co- 

 coons, at a cost of about $550,000. Tliis species of worm is indigenous 

 to the province of Assam, in Bengal, where the British Go\'ernment is 

 giving much attention to silk culture, and is of a hardy nature and a 

 most prolific spinner. The writer says : "If America can only secure 

 to herself a fair start now in the 'Tusser' industry, she will add vastly 

 by it to her manufactimng revenue?." If furnished the means of natu- 

 ratizing his favorite "Tusser" worm in zVmerica, he thinks success is cer- 

 tain. He adds, " With the Tusser worm fairly fixed in your vast conti- 

 nent, you might snap your fingers at all the silk-i)roducing countries in 

 the world." 



While I cannot recommend the beginning of operations on so large a 

 scale, the above is cited to give an idea of what persons of intelligence 

 and exx)erience in other countries are doing in silk culture, and would 

 do to establish it here if encouraged. And it is believed this great in- 

 dustry may, by careful procedure, be gradually and economically es- 

 tablished in many portions of the XJiiit('<l States, with vast benefit to the 

 inhabitants. 



An entire reorganization of the, eiitoiiU)logi(;al collection has been 

 begun. A supply of new cases has been procured, and the collection is 



