Turan Research Center

The establishment of silk production and research stations in the 19th century Europe

responded to the needs that emerged on the continent during that time. The lack of scientific study

of silk production became evident as early as the 1740-1760s when silkworms were affected by an

epizootic disease, and the measures taken proved insufficient. The necessity arose to create a solid

scientific foundation for silk production and its research, for which special stations were

established. Germans, Austrians, and Italians were the first among European countries to set up

sericulture stations. These institutions were essential not only for studying existing problems in

sericulture but also to address the requirements for the future development of this field.

The objectives of a sericulture station usually were to determine the conditions that would

promote the development of sericulture in various geographical and climatic environments;

furthermore, to develop specific methods for achieving the first goal, to study different diseases,

to research new silkworm breeds through experiments, and in the end to provide necessary

recommendations. The ultimate goal was to implement innovations in agriculture in order to raise

general economic level. In Europe sericulture stations were often created based on demands

presented by local commercial circles, which were interested in raising their countries’ economic

productivity. In other words, as will be described below, one of the main purposes of the stations

was to disseminate scientific knowledge about sericulture. Moreover, the stations also aimed at the

implementation of acquired knowledge in agriculture, particularly through providing information

to the population on how to rear silkworms.

Read the full article on the State Silk Museum.

Emil Avdaliani is a research fellow at the Turan Research Center.