REARING SILKWORMS. 103 



SILK-CULTURE IN ITALY. 



Silk was introduced into Italy early in this 

 century, when Florence was the center of the 

 manufacturing interests. 



For a long time the production, as well as the 

 manufacture, of silkjhars beeTi~thehief wealth of 

 Italy v not Qnly of the people, but also of the gov- 

 ernment.. Realizing the importance of instruct- 

 ing the people in the management of the silkworm, 

 that they might by intelligent care ward off dis- 

 ease, in 1871 there was a royal decree issued to 

 establish an experimental station at Padua. 

 The Italian government, and the city and Cham- 

 ber of Commerce of Padua, bore the expense of 

 the institution. The objects of the station are, 



1. To study the raising of silkworms under 

 the best conditions, and experiment with the 

 products thereof. 



2. To study the feeding of silkworms, by means 

 of physiological and chemical experiments. 



3. To study the diseases of the silkworms, and 

 the mulberry tree. 



4. To produce and distribute healthy silkworm 

 eggs for silk-growers. 



5. To experiment with new varieties of eggs, 

 as well as with other articles that concern the 

 menagerie. 



