Proceedinos of the Farmers' Club. 705 



be obtained by cultivatin^j^ this valuable worm on an extended seale^ 

 wliicli is very valuable for reference, being an approximate estimate 

 of the result of his cultivation from years of experiment. Trials 

 made in England were for years unsuccessful until the past season, 

 when, after repeated attempts and much expense, ])r. Wallace, of 

 Colchester, succeeded in raising and rearing the oak-eater. He has 

 published several works, giving his experience, together with full 

 description of this beautiful insect. He paid particular attention to 

 the temperature. The worm avoids sunshine, but likes the warmth 

 diffused through the leafy shade. They will bear a moderate amount 

 of cold, for brief periods, but great care must be taken regarding 

 ventilation. The experience of the gentlemen previously named 

 coincides that he thrives better out of doors on the tree than M'hen 

 confined in rooms. Dr. Wallace has found that in England the 

 worms thrived well in a freely ventilated room with a temperature 

 of about seventy degrees equable and rather moist, Cleanliness is 

 most essential. The best varieties of oak, as used by the Japanese,, 

 for rearing this worm, are the quercus dentata, quercus serrata^ 

 and cfuercus sii'ohasi, being the trees which vegetate earliest and 

 having the most tender leaves, are the best for feeding the worms, 

 the silk made from them being strong and valuable. The M^orms 

 are very particular as to the quality of the oak, and great care is 

 requisite in feeding, as they require twigs with the leaves, and not 

 picked leaves. The young worms must be fed on no other food but 

 the oak ; must not have lettuce ; but feed only with oak sprays kept 

 in fresh water. Plenty of pure air is most desirable. Quercus 

 pedunculata is an early variety, and much preferred for open-air 

 culture. The Japanese gather branches, place them in bottles, and 

 place the young worms on the leaves. The oak-eaters require 

 plenty of food, constant attention, and are quick growers, constantly 

 eating night and day. Quercus cemis, or Turkey oak, is much 

 relished by them, although other varieties will answer. This worm 

 is a native of Oshin, Japan, where it is cold in winter and warm in 

 summer. The eggs taken from this district thrive well in England. 

 Heat will not kill them, but they are readily devoured by insects 

 and birds, unless properly covered on the trees, by netting. Tlie 

 Japanese seed is in great demand in the French markets, also in 

 England. 



Ailanthus culture has become a success in Europe, and, at the same 

 time, let it be known that it requires much less labor than 



[Inst.] 45 



