Essentials of Sericulture

Preface

The landscape is continuous, and the suitability of the soil and the nature of things it produces—how could they be so inconsistent from one place to another? Friends and relatives travel back and forth; surely it is not difficult to inquire and learn from others. Yet, while the men exhaust their strength in the fields, the women idle in their rooms. When the spring planting original: "dong zuo" (東作); literally "eastward work," a traditional literary term for spring agriculture, as the east is associated with the season of growth. begins, their resources are already spent, and they are forced to borrow from others. When the harvest finally comes, they must pay back double the original amount to cover the interest. With no time even to patch the holes in their finances, how can they hope for any surplus?

Thus, it is clear that farming and sericulture are like the outside and inside of a garment—inseparable. They must be clearly explained, taught, and practiced. Qinglian The style name of the author. previously served as the acting magistrate of Jinsha and Yunyang Jinsha and Yunyang are historical names for areas in modern-day Jiangsu province, specifically Jintan and Danyang.. I observed that in Jinsha, there were many mulberry forests, yet the leaves were mostly sold to neighboring regions. I issued orders to the local people: "Instead of just growing mulberry trees to sell the leaves, why not raise the silkworms right here?" I intended to spread this teaching to Yunyang as well, but soon after, I was hurriedly replaced at the end of my term. Yet, this intention remained entwined in my heart.

Now, I have received the honor of a superior's order original: "xian ming" (憲命); an official command from a higher-ranking provincial authority. to be promoted as the governor of this region. Upon inquiry, I have learned that the people of Jintan original: "tan min" (壇民); literally the people of [Jin]tan., having been guided by previous instructions, already understand how to raise silkworms and reel silk original: "can cuo" (蠶繰); the technical process of unwinding silk fibers from cocoons to create thread.. However, in Danyang original: "yang" (陽); referring here to Danyang., then...