334 FOREST CULTURE AND 
between seven and eight millions were planted. The 
process of rearing the silk-insect is simple, and in- 
volves no laborious exertions. The cocoons, after they 
have been properly steamed, dried, and pressed, find 
readily purchasers in Europe, the price ranging, ac- 
cording to quality, from 3s. to 6s. per pound. The 
eggs of the silkworm sell at a price from 16s. to £2 
per ounce; and, in 1870, Japan had to provide two 
millions of ounces of silk-ova for Europe, where the 
worms had extensively fallen victims to disease. In- 
stances have been recorded in California where 8 tons 
of leaves were gathered in the first year from Mulber- 
ry-trees of 1 acre, and 30 tons in the next year. As 
an example of the profit thus to be realized a Califor- 
nian fact may be cited, according to which £700 were 
the clear gain from 33 acres, the working expenses 
having been £93. The Commissioner of Agriculture 
of the United States has estimated that, under ordi- 
nary circumstances, an acre should support from 700 
to 1,000 Mulberry-trees, producing 5,000 pounds of 
leaves fit for food, when four years old. On this 
quantity of leaves can be reared 140,000 worms, from 
which ova at a net profit ranging from £80 to £240 
per acre will be obtained by the work of one person. 
Mr. C. Brady, of Sydney, thinks the likely pro- 
ceeds of silk- culture to be from £60 to £150 for the 
acre. The discrepancies in calculations of this kind 
are explained by differences in clime, soil, attention, 
and treatment. 
The White Mulberry-tree has been very copiously 
distributed from the Melbourne Botanic Garden since 
many years. A very palatable fruit is obtained from 
a variety cultivated in Beloochistan and Affghanis- 
