The use of a complex of published sources and archival documents made it possible to identify the main stages of the formation and development of sericulture in the period under consideration. When studying the topic, the author used the funds of the State Archives of the Stavropol Territory, articles from pre-revolutionary newspapers and magazines, and for the first time in the context of this issue, the narrative of the French traveler Xavier Ommer de Gell, translated by the author, was considered. An important role in the development of sericulture is played by the activities of A.F. Rebrov, who was one of the first to begin the development and distribution of domestic sericulture in the North Caucasus. AF Rebrov used scientific methods. So, through experimentation and selection, he bred new species of silkworm and mulberry trees, such as Alba morus, created favorable temperature conditions and improved the technology of feeding silkworm worms. AF Rebrov was interested in the development of sericulture not only in the North Caucasus, but also in neighboring provinces. In this regard, a school for the study of silkworm breeding was opened in his estate Vladimirovka for peasant children and all comers on a free basis. Schools for the study of silkworm breeding were opened in Stavropol, Kizlyar, Kislovodsk, Moscow, St. Petersburg. The distribution of mulberry seedlings and silkworm saplings free of charge, all this contributed to the development of domestic green production and the spread of the silkworm industry in Russia. The successful development of silkworm breeding was confirmed by the high-quality silk produced on the estate of A. F. Rebrov, which in its whiteness competed with French, Italian and Chinese silks. Possessing an encyclopedic knowledge, successes in the economy, A.F. Rebrov was appointed honorary director of the first agricultural exhibition in the city of Stavropol and a personal guide of Emperor Nicholas I. When statesmen, entrepreneurs and foreigners visited the estate of Vladimirovka, the agricultural activity of the landowner Rebrov was highly appreciated and reviews.

In the world, silkworms are grown in 50 countries, of which two provide 96 percent of world production: China - 80, and India - 16. The production of cocoons in Japan and South Korea has sharply decreased, the main reason being the high labor intensity of production. Seasonality is also a weak point of sericulture. At the same time, production of silk cocoons is increasing in India, Brazil, Thailand and Indonesia. The poorest part of the population is engaged in it, as in China.

In Russia, we don't even talk about silk production.

In many ways, the reason was the problem with the food supply. Caterpillars feed only on mulberry (mulberry). A lot of fodder needs to be harvested, which means that whole mulberry plantations are needed. But today there are about six thousand hectares of mulberry in the country, and in the Stavropol Territory it is just a few dozen hectares, no more. And they are in disrepair.

If we put them in order, then with appropriate care in three or four years, they could get about 550 tons of cocoons. The remaining 250-350 tons can be grown on a leaf of randomly growing trees. A further increase in production is impossible without the establishment of new plantations. Moreover, the plantings reach their operational age only three to four years after planting.

Our research, calculations and experience of foreign countries show that the maximum number of cocoons that can be produced in a family private farm where three or four people work, without outside help, is 500 kilograms per year. But it is necessary to have a converted room of 80 square meters and two hectares of intensive mulberry or four to five hectares of non-varietal mulberry. Provided that hired workers are involved in the blanking of the sheet, the number of cocoons obtained can be doubled.

But we need support programs for those who will plant mulberry trees, subsidies from the budget at least in the first years of the establishment of a small enterprise, and assistance with sales markets.

Regards, Sergey Viktorovich Pushkin

Reports of International Sericulture Commission and FAO will be helpful to you. Links are: http://www.inserco.org/en/statistics and http://www.fao.org/3/x9895e02.htm