WEIGHING THE EGGS. 
IS 
Weighing the Eggs. 
*mj|F intended for sale, the pieces of cloth on which the 
Sir 1 e £S s are t° ^ e -^ a ^ should be accurately weighed in 
Troy grains. After the eggs are laid, the cloths should 
be again weighed. The difference between the two 
weights is the weight of the eggs. Both weights should be 
distinctly marked for the inspection of the purchaser. 
,». + .» _ 
Varieties of the Silkworm. 
iHE silkworm proper, which produces the silk of com- 
|JM P| merce, belongs to the family Bombycidse or spinners. 
M^l Domestication has had much to do with producing the 
fj»r different varieties. Any one of these, transferred to 
a different climate, changes its character and silk product 
accordingly. Some varieties produce but one brood a year. 
These are called Annuals. Bivoltins produce two, the Trivol- 
tins three, and the Quadrivoltins four crops in a year. The 
Dacey, a variety known in India, produces eight generations 
in one year. Experiments, taking into consideration the 
size of the cocoon, quality of silk, time occupied, hardiness, 
and quantity of leaves required, have proved the Annuals 
to be the most profitable, although Bivoltins are often reared. 
The varieties of the Annuals of the color of the cocoons, 
and the country in which they are most cultivated. 
The best known European varieties are, the Milanese, 
(Italian) which produces a fine yellow cocoon ; the 
Ardeche, Pyrenean, and Cevennes, (French) which produce 
the large yellow and straw colored cocoons, and are con- 
sidered the hardiest and best adapted to the eastern, middle, 
and western states. The Brousse (Turkish) which produces 
a white cocoon. The latter variety is the most valuable in 
commerce ; but the races which produce the colored cocoons, 
are considered the most healthy. 
OSAGE SILK WORM-COCOON.-<After Riley.) 
