sericulture

noun

1. (uncountable, usually)The rearing of silkworms for the production of silk.

   “Numerous experiments have been made with a view to improving sericulture in India.”

   “Very soon after sericulture had, by these means, been established, its profits in one year exceeded the large reward given by the state of California. Looking to the character of the population of this Colony [New Zealand], and the manner in which it would probably be settled, the promotion of sericulture was a most important object, as affording a prospect of useful employment to a large number of persons.”

   “In 1959, there were more than 670,000 sericulture farms in Japan, which accounted for about 11 per cent of the total agricultural farms. [...] Sericulture is practised all over Japan. However depending on the climactic conditions prevailing in the different regions, the ground conditions and the agricultural management, there are wide regional variations.”

   “In the northern and Kanto regions [of Japan], sericulture (silk) became important as a supplementary source of rural income.”