40 RAW-SILK. 



(E.) In moderate seasons the produce is estimated 



^o^musT at 103,500 klrnuns, which ought to yield about 

 one hundred and fifty factory maunds of silk. 



The Dessee Cocoons. 



In the order of importance and value may next 

 be ranked the silk-worm, designated "Dessee," 

 a term importing indigenous : this worm may, 

 therefore, be described in general terms, as the 

 native silk-worm of Bengal. It may be properly 

 considered as only one species : but it is produced 

 throughout the year, and varies in estimation and 

 value, according to the season of produce, and the 

 more nutritious food afforded by the mulberry- 

 plant at one season of the year rather than another. 

 Hence, the worm of the cold weather, or November 

 bund, and that of the dry weather, or March and 

 April bunds, is superior from the more favourable 

 state of the weather, and in consequence of the 

 leaf of the mulberry-plant imparting a greater 

 degree of nourishment at these seasons of the 

 year than in the rainy bunds, when, from the 

 humid state of the atmosphere, and the leaf of 

 the mulberry-plant being so much saturated with 

 moisture, the cocoon becomes flabby, and its fibre 

 weak. 



Commercolly. 

 Of this species of worm there are no less 

 than five harvests produced at Commercolly. 



The 



