350 ON THE PRODUCTION OF 
The year 1872 was, as is very well known, most 
unfavourable to sericulture ; the mulberry leaf, being 
too watery, in consequence of the incessant rain, 
caused an alarming extent of disease amongst the 
" educations ;" however, M. Gaydou, who reared nearly 
a hundred ounces of grain, produced by my system of 
education in the open air, has nevertheless obtained 
splendid results. I quote his words : — 
" The educations made this year (1872) with grain pro- 
duced by the open-air system of M. Alfred Roland, of Orbe, 
Canton de Vaud, Switzerland, have given on an average 40 
kilogrammes of cocoons for 30 grammes of grain — that is to 
say, 1 oz. troy-weight produced 107 lbs. troy. The yellow 
cocoons of M. Rowland yield one kilogramme of grege silk 
per twelve kilos, of cocoons. About 160 cocoons go to make 
up the kilogramme (2.2 lbs. avoir.) This race does not con- 
tain more than eight per cent, of double cocoons. 
" (Signed) A. Gaydou and Co. 
"Turin, September 12th, 1872." 
If the data which I recently received from England 
are exact, and it is really a fact that in the environs 
of London alone there exists more than 30,000 mul- 
berry trees, we have here a sufficient proof that this 
precious tree flourishes wonderfully well in the 
South of England ; and wherever the mulberry thrives 
vigorously, the silkworm may be reared advan- 
tageously. 
Whether for grain or for silk, from the moment when 
the production of silk, as a branch of commercial 
industry, can easity' be introduced into any country, 
the opportunity of doing so should not be disregarded ; 
for, as it is one of the most beautiful and most 
