THE SILK INDUSTRY IN AUCKLAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1908, 16 March 1887, Page 3

THE SILK INDUSTRY IN AUCKLAND.

The Wellington correspondent of the " New Zealand Herald " saya :— Through the courtesy of tho Premier I was enabled to inspect a box of fine silkworm cocoons, whii.h had been received by tbe Government frcm Mr Schoih, of Auck'and. This sample of what en bo done In the way cf silkworm rearing and breeding, pats the practicability of esttbh'Bhing eericiculture as a permanent industry beyond ail question rf doubt. It appears to have exceeded iho expectations cf Mr Schooh himself, whoßo e^tin ate (f the results like'y to be obtained was much loss than the rrsu'ta themaelvts prove oan be readily obta'n-?d. It sh< uid bo borne m mind thet ibis i-> a month's yield. Mr Schoch, m hia report, says : — "I submit my report of silkworm culture for tho ition'h of February, It afforda me much pleasure to state that, m spite of tbe lateness of the season, and other difficulties, I have raised a very ra'isfactory orop of aiik cocoons. These cocoons have not been picked out specially but are just as they came from the bush." The rich c eamy yellow color of the cocoons, firmness urder the touch, s'ze and uuformiiy, aie the characteristics of these cocoonp. They have been free from any disease of any kind, f.om which cause it appears that there is a lots even m Italy of from 20 to 40 per cent. Mr Schoch further says :— " They are superior to the average crop as 'ar »s weight ia concerned, Two hundred and eighty fresh c coons go to the lb weight. Thia give? 1501 b weight of freah coooona to the ounce of eg*s, that islO.COOib. In tho estimate I bave handed to you, I calculated about 100 ib frt'Bh cocoons to the ounce of eggs. I consider this result very satisfactory, because some of the leaves at my disposal were getting quite tough, The great heat of the weather having dried the food quickly upon thetcayp,it had to b« renewed quick'y and the trays clianed, which caused great leas of time. If I can start at the proper time of the year, m the spring, with an abundant supply of leaves I undertake to produce still heavier cocoons. The particulars of this^crop are &b follows : — The sggs were hatched on the 20th January • the first month started on tbe 24th January and terminated on the 25th, the second month on the 28th of January, terminating on the 29th, the third ou the 2nd February terminating on the 4th, the fourth on the 9th February termina'Ing on the 12th They started spinning on the 18th February 29 days old, were gathered on the 26th 37 days eld, aud steamed ou the 28 sh." The above gives an account of the temple, but Mr Schoch enlarged his experiments. He sayt : "Another lot^which 1 forced at a higher temperature, starttd spinning after 27 days, and were gathered m 32 day. The usual time m Italy, Is 33 days before ■pring 42 before gathering. No disease had manifested itself, except a few cai-os of jaundice, which were caused by bad food." According to the above report there is a triple advantage for tho silkworm grower m New Zealand as compared with Italy : Fir6t,|in tbe weight : second m the period of spiuning and gathering ; third, m tho freedom from disease. Mr Schoch pays a compliment to Mr Waddel, tha late Mayor of Auckland, who took much interest In experiments and supplied the leaves. He gives the following as the aggregate result cf the experiment :

— "Notwithstanding that tha available supply of leaves was limited, I 'realised enough cocoons to send home to Marcheeter Jubilee Exhibition, to keep •io ne m hand for show, and prod' ca eggs for next season. I hive rs.ud enough to send a parcel to Italy to have the quality of silk tested, and duly reported upou by practical porsors m the ellk trade." In addition to the abova experiments Mr Schoch Ids made experiments with "Japanese worms." lhie part of h's report refers to coocons injured by tl-e worm eating Ita w«?y through, and to the value of auch " perforated cocoons In market. " The subject was brru^ht before the Welliogton Philosophical Society a few evenings since by Mr Prnnefather, late Private Secretary to the Governor. Mr Schooh eaye : "A small number of Japanese worms were hatched at the beginning <f February, and are progressing satlnfaotorily. As soon as the eggs are ready I will send to Italy to see if an export oan be established. If this be practicable, and the statement reported m the papers be true, that perforated cocoons oan be ■old In Englard for 3) and 4t a pound weight, the silk Industry must prove a very profitable one." In concluding h ! s report Mr Schoch refers to the other persons m d ft'erent parts of Auckland districts to whom silkworms eggs were distributtd. He sajs : " It 'is too early to give an aooount how (he other persons to whom eggs bave been distributed have got on. Some have been quite successful, but others do not seem to have devoted the necessary time ar.d trouble to the matter, which is to be regretted, considering the importance of the result to be obtained, and that ;he materials required for tbe success of tho experiment were distributed grati*." I have reason to know that all the Ministers have res d this -. port with gieatcpt interest.