16 CULTURE OP SILKWORMS. 



The bush varieties of mulberry have hitherto been only con- 

 sidered, but it appears that the tree varieties are in some situa- 

 tions to be preferred, or at least, might be advantageously planted 

 in conjunction with the bush varieties. They need not be weeded 

 after attaining some size, which to a Malay is a great consider- 

 ation. They can be planted amongst other trees, and as hedges 

 to fields, kampongs, etc. The worms appear to eat the leaves, 

 and thi'ive on them. I have found no difference in this respect 

 between the two varieties, except that the bush mulberry is more 

 suited to the worms when very young, as the leaves are much 

 softer. 



The mulberries can readily be propagated by cuttings. These 

 are best made when the plant is at rest, though they may, with 

 care, be got to strike at any time of the year. Pieces about a span 

 long are the best, and they should be cut at the bottom end, close 

 beneath a joint, otherwise they are very apt to damp off. They 

 grow best when planted upright, and with not more than three 

 inches of the cutting beneath the surface of the ground. If 

 treated as the Chinese and Javanese usually treat cuttings, that 

 is, planting them diagonally with three-quarters of the whole 

 length of the slips beneath the ground, not one in ten will strike ; 

 wliereas if planted as recommended, not one in ten will fail. 



Apparently, four or five broods of silkworms could be 

 raised in the year. The mullierry appears to have two growing 

 seasons dming each year in Perak, but sufiicient experience has 

 not yet been acquired to enable it to be definitely stated when it 

 would be best to rear the broods. 



The refuse from the rearing houses should all be bm-ned 

 before it is returned to the land as manure, as it wovild appear by 

 the experience gained in India that the disease germs contained 

 in this refuse get on to the leaves and infect worms fed on them. 

 This can be easily understood when it is remembered that the 

 germs retain their vitality for a period of at least eight months. 



LABOUR. 



The main condition that must be fulfilled to ensure the 

 successful breeding of silkworms in Perak, or anywhere else 

 for that matter, is emplojonent of cheap labour. The mining in 

 this State has raised the wages of all classes, particularly amongst 

 the Chinese, and though I have not been able to collect any 

 reliable information on the subject, I do not think that silk could 

 1)0 /produced by means of Chinese labour at a price that would be 

 remunerative. If it is to be successfully grown, I believe it 

 woidd be by the Malays, as amongst them the wages are lower, 

 and women and children coidd be employed for all the light 

 i^ortions of the industry; which they can do not only cheaper. 



