12 
A T o. 3.—Approximate annual return of a Sericicole Establishment, 
on 10 acres (4 hectares) in France. 
One acre of land planted, either with mulberry trees of full 
growth, or mulberry shrubs, is expected to yield annually 8,000 
lbs. of leaves. 
8,000 lbs. of leaves are expected to feed 4 ounces of seed or 
120,000 worms. 1 ounce of seed or 30,000 worms are expected 
to yield 120 lbs. of cocoons. 12 lbs. of cocoons are required to 
make up 1 net lb. of reeled or raw silk ready for sale. 480 lbs. 
of cocoons are accordingly expected to yield 40 lbs. of raw silk 
ready for sale. 40 lbs. of raw silk at tho rate of £1 lbs. per lb. 
last current price in the Loudon and Lyons markets amounts 
to ...' ... ... .. ... £75 0 0 
This is the return of 1 acre : the total return 
for 10 acres is (I) ... ... ... 750 0 0 
The expenditure being... ... ... 300 0 0 
The net profit would be for an investment of 
£1250 ... • ... • ... 450 0 0 
CHAPTER III. 
A Few Hints tor the Formation' of a Sericicole Company. 
The establishment alluded to in the proceeding tables is 
supposed to be exclusively sericicole; but such is not generally 
the case; with few exceptions, it is quite the reverse.' 
The sericicole industry is essentially agricultural, and must be 
combined and carried oil with other farming' pursuits. 
The worms feed on fresh leaves, and accordingly should be 
reared on, or close by the spot where the mulberry trees grow. 
The cocoon must be reeled in a short time from its formation ; 
if kept a long time, or packed up, or tossed about from place to 
place, it loses much both in weight and quality, when it is not 
spoiled altogether. Then again the reeling should take place on, 
or close by the very spot where the worms have been spinning. 
But besides that, it must be remembered that the main labor 
of a silkworm education does not occupy more than two or three 
months in the twelve mouths. During the remainder of the 
year what will become of the hands, the barrow's, the cart, the 
horse, the engine, the buildings ? They will be at a stand still, 
whereas if the education be carried on in connection with a 
(O Tho floss and ivosto or damaged silks have hoen omitted : their value may bo 
rcckouod at about G per cent of the amount of the gross return. 
