SILK 87 



some success, to improve the methods of rearing up to that 

 time in vogue, and during the six years ending 1913 

 {inclusive) the average annual quantity of eggs hatched 

 out was 12,319 oz., the average annual export of " dry " 

 cocoons was 45,551 okes, and the average annual estimated 

 local consumption 4,449 okes, making a total annual pro- 

 duction of 50,000 okes, as against 35,000 okes in 1896. 

 The former total represents an average yield of about 

 4 okes of " dry " cocoons, equal to about 18 kilograms of 

 fresh cocoons per ounce of seed, and marks a slight improve- 

 ment upon the ratio of eighteen years previously. 



Since 1914 this branch of work has received a larger 

 share of attention from the Department. Five sericultural 

 stations have been established, regulations have been 

 issued, inspections by qualified persons have been systema- 

 tically made, practical advice has been given to rearers in 

 the matter of cleanliness, disinfection and so forth, the 

 granting of licences to egg-raisers has been put on a better 

 footing and the whole industry has been brought more 

 under observation and control. 



Numerous suggestions have been made from time to 

 time for insuring that only a good quality of egg shall be 

 imported. As an effective perhaps the most effective 

 means to this end, the Department of Agriculture has set 

 itself to improve the production of local eggs and thus in- 

 directly discourage their importation : holders of licences 

 to raise eggs are required to pass periodical examinations ; 

 several have in consequence had their licences cancelled, 

 new licensees have been added, and many unlicensed 

 persons have been prosecuted and convicted for illegally 

 raising eggs. 



The common method of hatching practised by villagers, 

 by placing the eggs tied in cloth with a little cotton- wool 

 in their beds or by carrying them on their persons, still 

 prevails, but it is gradually yielding to a better system of 

 incubation. The Department has designed a simple, 

 inexpensive hatching-box, and these are now being used 

 with good results. 



Until about three years ago probably 25 per cent, of the 

 local rearers were producing their own seed without any 

 microscopical examination at all. Bad feeding, bad ven- 



