The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-04-08
SILK CULTURE.
THE AILANTHUs FEEDER.
BY j. Q. A. WARREN.

tlrely dependent on the mulberry worm
but now new and friendly rival has ap.
peared, which bids fair to take very
prominent place in European sericulture
and must naturally, from its wonderful,
hardy proclivities, be largely introduced
and successfully cultivated, in the United
States.
For the past ten years, the disease.
among the silk-worms in France and
Italy, have occasioned wide and earnest
discussion Oh the subject of introducing
other worms to take their place. The
epidemic known as 'la gdttineo" spread
with such rapidty, that the French gov.
gernment took the matter into serious con-
sideration, and appointed scientific COM
mission, with instructions for thorough
inquiry npon the following points:
l. The modes Of introducing new races
of the Bombyx-Mori, for the purpose OF
improving the degenerate stock.
2. vi the best methods for arresting the
spread Of the epidemic.
3. Of the practicability of substituting
other worms for the mulberry feeder.
In pursuance of these instructions. a
searching investigation was entered upon
with view to discover substitutes for the
mulberry feeder. Every variety of silk
producing insect was experimental with.
Many were discarded as of no practical
value, but among those of exceptional
promise, the "Bombyx Cynthia" and the
"Bombyx Yama-Mori" were selected, the
former feeding Ga the ailanthus tree and the
latter on the oak. Both species were found
perfectly hardy, and possessed the dyan
tage of being readily cultivated in tn
open air.
The Bombyx Cynthia, which feeds on
Allanthus Glaudulosa, was introduced into
Europe in 1856 through o Piedmontese
missionary, the Able Fantom, who OBJ
tanned the worms from the province of
Shantung, in the north of China, latitude
35 40, and sent them to France. The
cocoons were received in November and
matched out in the following spring The
name OF the tree upon which the cocoons
had been accustomed to feed had not been
mentioned by the able, but it was de-
scribed as being like an acacia When
the worms appeared, various kinds of food
were offered them, among which were
some leaves of the ailanthus, which they at
: once seized upon and ate very greedily.-
This was supposed at once to be their pro-
per food, which afterwards proved correct.
This tree has been introduced into the
United States, Canada and Australia.
where 1t has been on account of the pe-
cular odor it emits when in blossom.
rather an object of aversion than real
boneht, although well suited in some par
ticulars Tor an ornamental tree. It is
very hardy, standing the severest winters
and longest droughts without injury. It
will grow well in any climate and thrive
well in almost any soil. 1t is one of the
easiest to propagate and grow. 1t throws
off suckers from the roots, like the sumac.
and is easily progagated in this way, as
as well as by seed. 1t is SO tenacious of
life, that it is said by French writers, if
the root of the tree be cut up like potato,
they will germipate, throw up shoots and
become strong and vigorous. 1t will attain
the age of 100 years, and its qualities are
SO peculiar as to make it free from the at
tacks of insects. 1t will hold its yerdure
during the most prolonged drought better
than any other shade tree known.
The cynthia worm produces two crops
per annum ; but in California and south
ern ATTITUDES will easily produce three ;
where the season is longer and the foliage
more plentiful in the autumn. Like that
OF the mulberry worm, its existence is d. |
vided into five stages, the worm in each |
stage having different color and shape.
At first it is of yellow color, with black |
tubercules and black spots down the |
belly. In the third stage it becomes quite
white, while upon its body is formed a |
waxy secretion like -four, which serves as
a protection from wet and rain. During
the fourth stage it is from one to two
inches in length, gradually turning green
with tubercules of a light color, while
the head and feet change to golden yell
low. At the fifth and last stage it grows
rapidly and eats voraciously, its body be-
ing OF an intense emerald green with the
tubercules of marine blue. During its
last days it ceases to-eat, and becomes of a
yellowish green it is then over three
inches in length, and commences to form
its cocoon, by securing it to the long or
main stem of the leaf, that it may be Sc
cure from falling.
The eggs of the cynthia are nearly twice
IS large as those of the mulberry worm,
being equally large at both ends, ola white
;olor, but marked with black, caused by
he germ inside the egg
When near Matching they appear to fat
en- little, appearing of a gray color,
aused by the formation of the worm. In
welve to fourteen days after the egg is
aid, the caterpillar appears. The worm
hould be placed on leaves on the growing
ilanthus tree, and covered in muslin bags
o protect them from ants and wasps. Once
ecured to the tree and protected in the
arly ages by these bags, and after the
bird age by nets to keep off birds, they re- !
uire no further attention. They are in !
ifferent to changes or condition of wealth.
r. Their feet being membraneous, they
ling to the leaves with peculiar strength, ,
bus securing them from gusts of wind,
'hile their bodies being covered with
ne down, the rain is turned off as from
,e leaf of cabbage.
Before the process of mouting, during
hich they remain inactive, they cover
le under part Of the leaf on which they
ed with gummy substance composed of
ky threads. which fixes them SO firmly v
at they crawl out of the old skin, leav- n
q it adhering to the leaf, when thew pass