Scientific American, Volume XXIV., No. 12, March 18, 1871: A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science,; Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures. — John Shaqi
Scientific American, Volume XXIV., No. 12, March 18, 1871: A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science,; Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures.Various
Science
Scientific American, Volume XXIV., No. 12, March 18, 1871: A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science,; Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures.
Various
Science -- Periodicals; Technology -- Periodicals
For manufacturers of coarse goods, I have no doubt that the silk
from our native silk moths, _Cecropia_ and _Polyphemus_, may be used.
Indeed, I believe that M. Trouvelot is of opinion that _Polyphemus_
may fairly enter into competition with _Bombyx mori_, the ordinary
mulberry silkworm. The worm, however, is rather difficult to rear.
In reference, however, to _Bombyx mori_, it is well known that the
silk crop in France and Italy has been reduced greatly, and the price
of silk goods consequently enhanced, by prevalence of disease among
the worms. So much is this the case, that silk breeders have been
obliged to look around for some silk-producing moths whose products
may, at any rate, supplement the deficient crop. _Cynthia_, as already
mentioned as one of these, and two others mentioned by Warren in the
_Tribune_ reports above adverted to, are at present the subjects of
experiment.
My article mentioned before as appearing in the _American
Entomologist_ is mainly devoted to my experiments, and those of my
correspondents, with _Yamamai_, which, as I said before, is an oak
feeder. In Japan, which is its native country, it feeds, in its wild
state, on _Quercus serrata_. Whether that oak be found in America, I
do not know, but it is of little importance, as the worm will feed on
almost any species of oak, although I think that it prefers white oak.
The importance of acclimatizing new species of silk moths is of so
much prospective importance, that I shall devote the remainder of this
article to the consideration of whether _Yamamai_ and _Pernyi_ may not
be naturalized here. Any one, who happens to have the number of the
_Entomologist_ containing the article above alluded to, may find it
worth while to read it, but as many persons may not be able to obtain
that number, I will here repeat the substance of my remarks, adding as
much new matter as subsequent experience has afforded.
The silk from the _Yamamai_ being considered superior to that produced
by any other of the substitute silk moths, great efforts have been
made in Europe to acclimatize it; but, it must be confessed, hitherto
with but slight success. There are exceptions, however, particularly
among amateurs in Germany, sufficient to show that success is
possible. The Baron de Bretton raises about 27,000 cocoons annually.
In this country but little has been done, or attempted, and that
little has not been very successful.
The fact is, that _Yamamai_ is a difficult moth to rear in a country
like this, where in early spring the temperature varies so much; but
that success is possible, I am convinced.
The moth emerges from the cocoon in the latter part of the summer,
copulates, lays its eggs, and of course dies. And now the trouble
commences; that is, with eggs laid, say in Japan, from whence we
mainly get our supplies.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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