Nov. 1906.] 



ill 



Live Stork. 



isolated from the ground by standing them in shallow bowls filled with kerosene 

 and water. But when, by mischance, one of these bowls has leaked or run dry, 

 the ants have immediately discovered the opportunity and invaded the trays with 

 disastrous results. Rats have, on several occasions, carried off both cocoons and 

 caterpillars. The small geckos are ever on the watch for an opportunity to raid 

 the trays. 



With regard to the encouragement of the industry amongst the natives 

 of Ceylon, small parcels of ' seed ' have been widely distributed, with the result 

 that over 400 lb. of cocoons have been bought in by the Society. Mr. Alexander 

 Perera was deputed to make a tour through the villages for the purpose of collecting 

 cocoons raised by the natives, it being thought that the collection and payment at 

 their very doors would demonstiate to the villagers that the cultivation was worth 

 the undertaking. This tour was satisfactory and produced nearly 100 lb. of cocoons. 

 This means of encouragement might be extended with advantage. 



One or two enterprising natives have taken up the business of collection on 

 their own account, for resale to the Society. Other cocoons have been sent or 

 brought in direct by the gi'owers, who have sometimes travelled considerable 

 distances with small parcels of cocoons worth only two or three Rupees. 



The village-grown cocoons have been of somewhaL poor quality, averaging 

 probably about 1,500 to the pound. They have come in in small lots of three or four 

 pounds at a time. This indicates that cultivators have not yet realized the fact 

 that, to be profitable, the worms must be raised on a much more extensive scale. 

 There is also unmistakable evidence, from the poverty of the cocoons, that the 

 worms have been overcrowded and underfed. As a rule, the villager seems to have 

 made no provision for the feeding of his worms. No systematic planting of castor 

 has been undertaken ; but reliance has been placed solely upon the natural growth 

 of plants on waste land. This supply has soon been exhausted, and, at the most 

 critical period of their growth, the worms have had to be sustained upon various 

 substitutes which, under the press of hunger, they have been compelled to eat, 

 the resulting cocoons being inferior in size and quality. No attempt has been made 

 to provide sufficient accommodation for the rapidly growing worms. The con- 

 sequent overcrowding induces disease resulting in the death of many worms 

 inside the cocoons (which greatly detracts from their value) ; the cocoons, for want 

 of space, are matted together and soiled by the excretions of the surrounding 

 caterpillars. 



In spite of all mistakes the industry shows promising signs of obtaining a 

 foothold, and every means should be employed to foster it. Our endeavours should 

 now be directed towards inducing influential natives to take up the cultivation on 

 a more extensive scale and so form centres of influence. If necessary, they might 

 be encouraged by personal and pecuniary assistance in the erection of suitable 

 buildings. Such centres might also be utilized for the collection of smaller parcels 

 of cocoons raised by the poorer natives in the neighborhood. The free distribution 

 of castor seed (which could be imported in quantity from India) might further 

 encoiirage the industry, though a large amount of seed could be collected from the 

 plants that spring up in the neighbourhood of every village. 



Until the cocoons are raised in much greater quantity than at present, no 

 subsidiary industries— such as silk spinning and weaving (which are dependent 

 upon large and constant supplies of the raw material) -can be expected to spring up. 

 And it is to such industries that we must look for a steady local market for our 

 produce. 



The actual purchase and resale of cocoons has resulted in no loss to the 

 Society, but has produced a small profit. This form of assistance should there- 



