RAW-SILK. 



V 



Bengal), in order that he might be on the spot Report, 

 where the raw-silk was produced. 



Mr. Wilder continued in India till the time of 

 his death in the year 1761, and laid the foundation 

 of great improvements in the winding of the silks. 



In 1765-6, Mr. Joseph Pouchon, who had exhi- 

 bited to the Bengal Government samples of silk 

 wound under his direction from cocoons collected 

 near Calcutta, which appeared much superior to 

 the silks generally produced, was engaged by 

 Government to carry on at Cossimbuzar the im- 

 provements begun by Mr. Wilder. In a letter to 

 the Governor-general in Council, Mr. Pouchon 

 stated, that he had mounted in his filature, reels 

 which he could increase to any number which the 

 Company might require, at but trifling expense, 

 as the cost of each stove, reel, and all its appurte- 

 nances, did not exceed three rupees ; that the 

 machinery was suited to the genius of the country 

 people, and the silk had been declared, by com- 

 petent judges, to be very perfect, so that silk 

 might be produced from the East-Indies as good 

 as any of the best sort that came from Italy, or 

 tany where else in the world, at a very moderate 

 price, to the great benefit of the Company and the 

 advantage of British manufacturers. 



Mr. 



