THE MODERN HISTORY OF SILK. 197 



strictly domestic ; and the reward to which they can 

 look with certainty is but an inadequate return for 

 the labour and restraint to which they are subjected. 

 The government has not, indeed, a monopoly in this 

 article : the market is open to any private speculator ; 

 still but few purchasers offer themselves, and the 

 peasant is generally obliged to be contented with 

 the rate fixed at the royal establishments, where he 

 receives from thirty kreutzers to a gilder for a pfund 

 of cocoons, according to the state in which they are 

 brought. 



In the year 1810, the Ritter Von Heinth instituted 

 trials in the Banat military frontier, under the coun- 

 tenance of government, with a view to naturalize the 

 Silk Worm in the open air ; and the following 

 account, written by one who bore part in these 

 attempts will be read with interest : 



" In pursuance of the orders of the commandant- 

 general, of 27th June, 1810, by which the agricultural 

 officers of this district were required to make experi- 

 ments, under the direction of the Ritter Von Heinth, 

 with a view to accustom the Silk Worm to the climate 

 of the country, trials were actually made during the 

 last spring in the following places : At Porlasvaros, 

 with one loth (half ounce) of eggs ; at Thomashevaez, 

 with one half loth ; at Oppova, with one loth ; at 

 Glogon, with one loth ; at Jerkovaez, with one half 

 loth ; at Alibunar, with one loth ; at Kubin, with 

 one half loth ; at Grebenacz, with one half loth ; at 

 Isbistie, with one half loth ; at Neudorf, with one 



