17 



of having to contend with the difficulties which in India 

 always surround the introduction of anything new or 

 unknown, the demand is all that is necessary to stimulate 

 production to any extent required. Nor is this a figure 

 of speech, for the natural food of the Tussar worm is the 

 leaves of the saj, lendeya, and dhowra trees, all of which 

 are found in every part of this district, and are, I believe, 

 common to the whole of Gondwana. These trees are, 

 besides, propagated with facility, and, as far as the require- 

 ment of the insect goes, are of rapid growth ; hence, if the 

 silk became more known and better valued, and the profits 

 sufficiently attractive, we might witness a development 

 of the culture similar in kind to that which has of late 

 years taken place in the case of cotton. Supposing, then, 

 a demand to spring up, I am of opinion that the supply 

 would, in a very short time, amply meet it. The nucleus 

 of no inconsiderable trade now exists, and only awaits the 

 stimulus of high prices. 



" The primary question whether the product is, or may 

 become, of such value as to occasion a large demand, is 

 one, perhaps, that more nearly concerns traders than Indian 

 administrators ; still, so convinced am I of the value and 

 beauty of the fabric that can be woven from well-reeled 

 Tasar that I would venture to strongly urge Government 

 action in introducing it to the markets of Europe." 



The worms require protection from birds and ants, which 

 are their greatest enemies. The first cocoons are made in 

 August, and are sold, after the moth has escaped, to the 

 silk dealers at 4 to 8 pice (l^d. to 3d.) the hundred. The 

 unpierced cocoons are only sold to rearers, as seed, at 1.8 

 rupees to 2 rupees (3s. to 4s.) per hundred. 



Captain Brooke says : — 



" In Chanda and Bilaspoor, Central Provinces, the rearing 

 of the worms is attended by many ceremonial observances, 

 which begin when the insect leaves the egg, and are not 

 discontinued until the cocoons are gathered and taken 

 to the rearer's house. During the feedino; of the worm 

 the Dheemurs lead lives of the strictest abstinence. 



" No female is allowed within a considerable distance 

 of the trees upon which the worms are feeding, and 

 if by chance a woman or impure man passes near the 

 feeding grounds the trees and worms are sprinkled in the 

 name of Jogni (an incarnation of the god Mahadeo, whom 

 the worms are supposed to represent) with water taken, 

 if procurable, from a running stream, and in which tulsi 

 leaves have been steeped. During the same period the 



Q 3255. B 



