180 



HOCKINGS' GARDEN MANUAL. 



The worms produced from an ounce of eggs are 

 estimated to consume all the leaves which can be taken 

 without injury from two acres of mulberry trees, 

 during the first season of picking, which would be the 

 second or third year after planting out, according to 

 their vigor. Each additional year's growth will enable 

 the trees to sustain the worms from a further half 

 ounce of eggs. 



In consequence of the large demand in France for 

 floss and similar silk, for toys and fancy-work, that 

 country presents the best market for perforated cocoons, 

 from which the moths have emerged. And the possi- 

 bility of making profitable sale of such cocoons for 

 " carding," gives further inducement to direct some 

 attention to the exportation of grain. 



The Japanese provide the greater part of the grain 

 which is imported into Europe, and appear to dust the 

 grain over a coarse card, 14 inches x 9 inches, which 

 had been sized, and to which it adheres. The cards are 

 supposed to contain an ounce of the eggs or grain each, 

 and are saleable in France at an average rate of about 

 12s. each. One of these Japanese cards, with the egg- 

 shells on it, which was sent to the Author some years 

 ago, is still in his possession, and will show to those 

 interested the manner in which they prepare their grain 

 for shipment to France — a trade which is of such 

 magnitude as to rank among their chief exports. A 

 trade in silk-worm grain has also attained some propor- 

 tions in California. 



Where facilities exist for safe transit to a good 

 market, the exportation of grain appears very suitable 

 to the circumstances of a people entering upon the 

 industry, and unskilled in reeling the silk. 



As previously stated, the first year's picking of leaves 

 from two acres of mulberry trees will feed the worms 

 from one ounce of grain — about 38,000 or 40.000 — 

 and as 250 cocoons produce an ounce of grain, therein 

 a probable return from these worms of at least 140 



