46 
ANNALS OF THB 
a large scale for the rearing of this silk-worm. The imperial authority was imme- 
diately granted, and the result, which is now published, surpasses all expectations. 
The new silk-worms were reared in several localities in Franco, and " it appears that 
more than three-fourths of the worms produced excellent cocoons, though the con- 
dition of the atmosphere was very unfavourable ; and it is now fully ascertained that 
the new worm gives a profit of cent, per cent, and often much more, whereas 
the mulberry silk-worm is reckoned very successful when it makes a return of 15 
per cent, on the capital employed. The silk of the ailante worm differs essentially 
from that of the mulberry worm. It is of an inferior quality, well adapted for 
coarse fabrics, and cannot enter into competition with that employed in the rich 
tissues of Lyons. The varnish tree will grow on the most barren soil. The 
cocoons may be prepared by the peasantry themselves, whereas the ordinary silk 
requires much skill and care in dressing it. The new silk will form an excellent 
substitute for cotton, of which France annually imports 69,604,000 kilogrammes 
from the United States. M. Guerin Meneville proposes to call the new silk ailantine, 
or cynthiane, in order to distinguish it from the other kind in use. He is now 
studying the best means of promoting the production and manufacture of the new 
silk, which he positively declares will ere long supply the chief clothing of the peo- 
ple." Professor Lindley, in commenting upon the above results, states that the ear- 
liest information respecting this insect was derived from Mr. Rutherford Alcock, 
when acting as H. M. Consul at Shanghae. About the year 1848 that gentleman 
sent to the Horticultural Society of London numerous pupjB and samples of cocoons 
as well as of the raw and manufactured silk. The samples of wove silk are des- 
cribed as having much the appearance of nankeen, rather coarse and very strong, 
and not likely to be taken for silk by an ordinary observer. An interesting paper 
has appeared in No. 86 of " All the Year Round," in which it is stated that " The 
eggs of the ailanthus silk-worm hatch at a temperature of from 64 to 68 ® Fah- 
renheit. They must therefore be kept in a cool place until the ailanthus plants are 
well in leaf. When hatched the young caterpillars may be placed on the ailanthus 
leaves in a tray, or on young branches furnished with leaves, and whose extremities 
are stuck into a jar of water. After the first moult they may be transferred to the 
growing trees and left thus in the open air until the cocoons are fit to be gathered. 
M. Meneville advises the stems of the alianthus plants to be cut down level with the 
ground, and only to use the suckers of the same year, which will start with great 
vigor. In the spring all last year's shoots must be pruned close, so that your ail- 
anthus copse consists only of ligneous stumps and herbaceous branches, whose large 
and succulent leaves are more suitable for feeding the worms than those produced 
on the tops of small trees. The ailanthus may be planted in rows or in quincunx. 
It will grow even in stony soils, where little else that is useful, except the vine, will 
thrive, and that demands a far better climate with the best of aspects." 
