Question

How is the maintenance of sericulture done?

Answer 1

Following precautions and managements are essential for the maintenance of sericulture:

A. Plantation of mulberry trees:

1. To supply fresh leaves to the larvae, plantation of mulberry trees (commonly used is Morus alba) is essential.
2. It requires fertile land and good source of water.
3. The field of mulberry plants should be near the sericulture centre.

B. Rearing house:

1. A well protected house is essential for rearing of larvae and caterpillars.
2. There should be relatively small changes in the temperature conditions.
3. The rearing house should protect the larvae from birds, direct bright light and high temperature.

C. Feeding:

1. The larvae and caterpillars are voracious feeders. They are fed with fresh mulberry leaves.
2. Therefore, regular supply of fresh, young mulberry leaves is essential.
3. The fresh leaves are supplied after every 2-3 hours.

D. Careful observation and Isolation:

1. The non-feeding and spinning caterpillars are regularly observed and isolated.
2. The spinning caterpillars are isolated and transferred to different spinning trays, called chandrikas (Cocconage).
3. The spinning is regularly inclined towards the light which helps the cocoon to develop.

E. Care of cocoons and stifling:

1. Damaged and ruptured cocoons are not useful in the preparation of silk threads.
2. Hence, rupture of cocoons is avoided by hot water treatment or dry heat or fumigation.
3. The pupa is killed and the cocoon damage is prevented. This process is known as stifling.

F. Reeling:

1. The winding of silk fibre on a wheel is known as reeling.
2. It is done by throwing many silk fibres and twisting them together.
3. A strong silk thread is wound around a wheel.
4. This is raw silk.

G. Spun and spool:

1. The damaged cocoons and broken silk fibres are teased to prepare silk thread.
2. This process is known as spool.
3. The silk obtained is known as spun.