The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1884. Tobacco and Silk

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 12, 31 January 1884, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1884. Tobacco and Silk

The prospect cf a depression in the harvests directs the attention of all persons who are of a progressive cast of mind, to substitutes which will make up for any probable loss in the total annual value of produce. The two valuable articles of commerce, viz., tobacco and silk, are likely to be the means of establishing new industries, in which the signs of strong vitality are already to be discovered. The cultivation of tobacco in New Zealand to supply Home consumption, and a portion of the foreign markets, will be an undertaking which may meet with a certain amount of opposition. The question of Customs duties will agitate the minds of Free Traders and Protectionists for a time, but if the business is once fairly started and a good article produced, objections would soon disappear. It must be remembered that the soil which is capable of producing the best kinds of tobacco is very rare, and mere quantity or weight is not the «' one thing needed." It has yet to be decided that New Zealand is capable of producing the higher classes of the leaf. The silkworm has the advantage of being harmless as far as the fiscal arrangements of the Colony are concerned. They can be grown without touching upon any point of the Customs tariff. At present their greatest value would be in the export of eggs, these being nearly three times the value of the cocoons. Experience has shown that the conditions of the climate of New Zealand are suitable to the constitution of the silkworm, and also to the white mulberry, which gives the worm its best food. It has been found by Mr Knight, of Awahuri, that the mulberry tree grows splendidly in that locality, and he is making all necessary preparations for the rearing of silkworms. This industry requires very little capital and the labor necessary can generally be supplied by the wife or children of the cottager or farmer. These are only two profitable industries that promise to 6pring up into fuU vigor with but a little encouragement from the Government, and earnestness on the part of those who commence them.