314 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



according to the " British Trade-Journal," the produce of cocoons 

 amounted in Europe to 16,588,000; in Asia to 28,112,000; in 

 Africa to 44,000 ; in the South-Sea Islands to 24,000 ; in America 

 to 20,000 thus giving a general total of 44,788,000. In 1875 

 the yield of raw silk in the district of Rajshahye (British India) was 

 estimated at 400,000, employing about 12,000 people, the planta- 

 tions extending approximately over 150 square miles [Dr. S. Forbes 

 Watson]. In that district alone a quarter of a million people derive 

 their support from the trade and other branches of the silk-industries. 

 Great Britain imported in 1884 4,519,000 Ibs. of raw silk, to a value 

 of 3,341,000 ; of thrown silk, husks and waste to the value of 

 907,000, irrespective of manufactured silk-goods, the cost of which 

 amounted to nearly eleven million pounds sterling. In 1889 the imports 

 came to 3,123,000 Ibs. of raw silk of a declared value of 2,192,000, 

 607,000 Ibs. of thrown silk worth 511,000, husks and waste to the 

 amount of about 900,000, and manufactured to the value of 

 11,790,000. The French Government fostered in 1890 the silk- 

 production within its own territory by a subsidy of 140,000. 

 Superior varieties of mulberry can be grafted with ease on ordinary 

 stock. M. Indica, L., M. macrophylla, Moretti, M. Morettiana, 

 Jacq., M. Chinensis, Bertol., M. latifolia, Poir., M. Italica, Poir., M. 

 Japonica, Nois., M. Byzaatina, Sieb., M. nervosa, Del., M. pumila, 

 Nois, M. tortuosa, Audib., as well as M. Constantinopolitana, 

 Lamarck, which according to Professor C. Koch is identical with M. 

 multicaulis of Perrottet, are merely forms of M. alba, to which 

 probably also M. Tatarica, L. and M. pabularia, Jacquin, belong. 

 The variety, known as M. Indica, produces black fruits. The raising 

 of Mulberry -trees has recently assumed enormous dimensions in 

 California, where between seven and eight millions were planted 

 since 1870. The process of rearing the silk-insect is simple, and 

 involves no laborious exertions. The cocoons, after they have been 

 properly steamed, dried and pressed, readily find purchasers in 

 Europe, the price ranging according to quality from 3s. to 6s. per Ib. 

 The eggs of the silk-moth sell at a price from 16s. to 2 per ounce ; 

 in 1870, Japan had to provide two millions of ounces of silk-ova for 

 Europe, where the worms had extensively fallen victims to disease. 

 As an example of the profit to be realized, a Californian fact may be 

 cited, according to which 700 were the clear gain from 3J acres, 

 the working expenses having been 93. The Commissioner of 

 Agriculture of the United States has estimated, that under ordinary 

 circumstances an acre should support from 700 to 1,000 mulberry- 

 trees, producing, when four years old, 5,000 Ibs. of leaves fit for food. 

 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. The produce of mulberry 

 leaves in France for 1890 was estimated at over 200,000 tons, valued 

 at about 400,000 [Sahut, from "Bull, du Ministere de 1' Agricul- 

 ture."] Mr. C. Brady, of Sydney, thinks the probable proceeds of silk- 

 culture to be from 60 to 150 for the acre. The discrepancies in 



