GROWING SILK

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 127, 15 February 1918, Page 3

GROWING SILK

AN INDUSTRY FOR AUSTRALIA.

Time was when the idea that wool would ever be an important export from Australia was ridiculed, states the Sydney "Sun." Just so people speak of silk growing to-day; yet it too may one day be a profitable Australian industry. At least, so says the Silk Culture Society of New South Wales. This conviction is based largely on facts which have been conclusively proved by a small band of enthusiasts in Sydney. First and most important of these is that the climate and soil of Australia are especially suited to it. Silkworms thrive remarkably well herC) and they are not subject to tfie diseases that are prevalent in other silk-growing countries. They produce excellent silk, and the mulberry trees, the leaves of which they cat, will nourish in our soil and climate. The society mentioned above hopes to see the time when every backyard and every garden will havo its mulberry tree, or moro than one if the space allows. Many women, it points out, keep poultry to add a littlo to the family income; why not rear silkworms as well. In silk-growing countries the peasant women expect to make enough from the sale of the cocoons they raise,'' to feed and clothe their families. And the work is not constant. It occupies only six _or seven weeks in the year. The society believes that the true road to the success of the industry is to get sericulture taken up all over the continent as a cottage or home industry. The big siik farms may, and probably will, como later. Tho white mulberry is not indigenous to Australia, but it will thrive well when once planted. Those who experiment with silk growing, however, should be careful to havo the proper variety of tree. There aro several varieties, but only one, the Morns alba, or white mulberry, on which the silkworm will produce tho best silk. It may be recognised by its large flat, iirrht green leaf. Some of the leaves often resemble a roseleaf, and the tree is; therefore, sometimes known as the Morus rosaetolia. Although the industry has not made a proper start in New South Wales, many trial consignments of cocoons have been sent to France and Switzerland, where good prices have been realised. The engagement is announced of Private Herbert W. Grimes, son of Mrs. Grimes, of Drurnmond Street, Wellington, to Miss Louie B. Fairey, eldest daughter of Mr. . C. Fairey, Sparkhill, Birmingham (England). Private Grimes left New Zealand with the Eleventh Reinforcements. An abnormally large number of letters and postcards from tho New Zealand soldiers in France—more than a thousand at least—were received by the hon. secretary of' tjie Mayoress's Countess 0!' Liverpool Fund Committee yesterday 011 the arrival of tho mail. All expressed the greatest appreciation of the gifts which had been received. and said that they were the very things that were most needed. Naturally such acknowledgments are very stimulating to tho committee and their workers and they feel that they are indeed working in the right direct ion.