RAW-SILK. 



39 



(E.) 



Radnasiore, siik cocoons 



of Bengal. 



At Radnagore the annual cocoon also prevails. 



The Resident observes, that the annual cocoons 

 are the produce of one bund only in the year, 

 called the March bund, commencing from the first 

 of that month, and ending about the 15th of April. 

 It is in a favourable season a very abundant and 

 profitable bund, producing (if the cocoons are 

 good) in the proportion of at least two to one of 

 the other species : the average price about one 

 khaun and a quarter per rupee. These cocoons 

 are dried in the sun by the chassars, and kept 

 with great care in their houses, in places least 

 exposed to damp and insects, and may be procured 

 from them to the end of June. 



SoonamooJci/ , 



The Resident reports, the eggs annuals only 

 generating once a year, are brought out for 

 hatching about the end of January. The rearers 

 calculate from forty to forty -five days from the 

 egg to the complete cocoon, according to the 

 healthiness of the worm^ state of the weather, &c. 

 &c. These are the most difficult to rear ; much 

 more delicate than the others, and, consequently, 

 require more care and trouble. The silk is, how- 

 ever, of fine fibre and strong, and ought to be 

 very mellow to the feel, of clear yellow colour, 

 with some white. 



In 



