SERICICULTURE.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 680, 19 January 1883, Page 2

SERICICULTURE.

To the Editor.

Sir,—Will you be so kind as to allow me space in your respected columns to agnin express my sentiments with regard to the introduction of the silk industry into New Zealand. Since 1874 I have agitated in various ways the promotion of this important industry, and I am happy to see that the attention of the Government, and a Jarge portion of the community, has been drawn to it. Tho results of Mr Federli's experiments are not less than I fully expected and made known as far as I have been able to reach. We have now some tangible fact to prove that New Zealand is a most suitable country for the above culture. The public at large had an opportunity of witnessing silkworam and cocoons in all stages at the late Christchurch International Exhibition—exhibited there by Mr Federli—and the verdictof all connoisseurs can only be that the exhibits were a success. I have been several times at Mr Federli's place to see the progress of tho silkworms (he has three or four different kinds), and I am informed tint not a single worm has died from any sickness whatever, a coincidence which has never occurred in any other country. He particularly prizes one kind, which has been greatly cultivated on the Continent of Europe (now extinct there) before the Japanese were introduced, a small parcel of which >vas sent to m« by my brother from Daylesford, Victoria, and Mr Federli thinks that this kind is tho most suited for New Zealand. These facts show the suitableness of the climate, leaving no more doubts on the matter. In October 1880, I wrote a paper on this subject, and handed the same to Mr Adams, by whom it was read at the Philosophical Institute, when I was kindly invited to be present. An interesting discussion took place, when some of the gentlemen present expressed the opinion that this climate was too cold, and that silk-cultivation would not pay here, on which I expressed an opinion quite the reverse. With regard to the climate, we have sufficient proof, and as j regards paying, I still maintain that the industry will pay better than many other products. If it pays in California and America, it should pay here. Very little capital is required, small risk, a light ' amusing work, and quick returns for the labor involved, and- when farmers have their trees full grown, the cultivation of the worms only lasts about six weeks. The Americans have retarded this important industry for forty years, through its being condemned by large speculators, and by beginning work at the wrong end. A few years ago, however, they made a fresh attempt on a proper basis, and are now making great progress, with lively public spirit, and, consequently, better results; and before long America will be a great silk producing country. In 1870 in California alone, not less than seven million of mulberry trees were planted. What can prevent New Zealand from becoming a great silk producing country in the course of a few years, if the peop'e will only forget conservatism, and give the little attention needed to ihe introduction of colonial progress ? Before we can go in for studying silkworm-keeping, or the production of cocoons, we must first of all have plenty of trees planted, and I would suggest the following as the simplest and cheapest plan, viz.:—The Government to provide mulberry plants and seed, and distribute the same to Agricultural, Horticultural, Acclimatisation, and Colonial Industry Associations, these Associations

to re-distribute them to the inhabitants of every district in New Zealand; also to supply to mulberry growers a small book of instructions, stating how to plant and grow the trees. I would strongly recommend the introduction and spread of seed ; tbe Government to establish a model farm in each Island, which would pay for itself by planting mulberry trees, vines, olives, tobacco, oranges, dairy keeping, &c, &c, Further, to introduce books on soriciculture, &c, for children to read in publio schools, ladies to form themselves into associations in all the principal towns, trees to be planted in public parks, in church and school reserves, side ways, yards, and in any land not used for any particular purpose. The leaves of these trees could be sold to parties in need of them. Silk-growers have nothing to do with tha manufacture of it. They have simply to hatch the eggs every spring, and attend to them until the cocoons are produced, when they are sold to merchants, and a market could as easily be found as for selling gold. I have no doubt tbat in some partß of New Zealand people will find some difficulty in rearing worms or growing mulberries, in parts where late frosts destroy vegetation, but there is no reason why people in all p.irts of the country Bhould not make a trial, and by experience get . over these difficulties, and still be enabled to carry on the Industry. On the Canterbury plains, for instance, we get late fr >sts, bm in this case silk-growers should retard the hatching of the eggs, say for one month. For tbe information of the public, I will here give an extract from the Scientific American • —" The remarkably successful exhibition of tbe Women's Association in Philadelphia established only two years ago last spring, added materially to the popular knowledge of silk culture, and the industrial inducements it offers. Trees and silkworm eggs have been sent by them to twenty-four States for testing local and personal capabhities for silk production." I could wiite still more fully on this important subject, but I am afraid that I have already trespassed too much on your columns. Hoping that my suggestions will be taken into consideration, so that this Colony may get the name of being not only one of the greatest Bilk-producers in the world before many years have passed, but that through all classes of Colonial productions we may be able to export ten times more than the imports, which would be the means.of enriching this new country.—l am, &c, L. POZZI. Chrißtchurch Working Men's Club, January 11.