SERICICULTURE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2406, 21 December 1881, Page 4

SERICICULTURE.

At a meeting of the Industrial Association last night, Mr Federli laid on the table some specimens of silkworms, and stated a number of facts very interesting to persons who devote any attention to the subject of serioiculture. To prove the fallacy of the c ntention that the silkworm ia not likely to thrive in New Zealand, Mr Federli mentioned that the specimens produced at the meeting which looked remarkably healthy -had been bred from some worms introduced into Canterbury ten years ago. He also said it was a mistake to suppose there would_ he any difficulty about providing food _ for silkworms, aB both the climate and soil of New Zealand were well adapted for the growth of the kind of mulberry tree Buyable for this purpose. Two descriptions of the tree had been introduced into the coldny, but somehow or other the kind that should have been preserved had been destroyed, and vice versa. The white mulberry would thrive well in New Zealand. One or two members of the association to whom some of these trees had recently been distributed, reported that they were progressing well. Mr Federli also explained in reference to a quantity of silkworm grain which the Government recently imported from Japan, that he thought it better to hatch the grain himself and distribute the worms, as people might not be successful if thsy attempted to hatch the grain at unsuitable seasons. Another popular delusion which Mr Federli said he would like to dispel, was that a great deal of labor was required to work the silkworm industry. _ This, he said, was a great mistake, and he explained how, through the use of perforated paper, a great deal of labor could be saved. Mr Federli cordially invitßd all interested in this branch of industry to apply to him personally, when he would be happy to eive them evory assistance in his power in their efforts to f urtherthe growth of the silkworm in Canterbury. One interestinfc- statement we must not omit to mention was that Mr Federli, in conjunction with Professor Bickerton, had been conducting experiments, similar to some undertaken by several eminent scientists at Padua, with the view of seeing whether it is possible to huteh silk worm eggs by means of electricity. Mr Federli stated that the experiments, so far a 9 they had been carried, had been very successful, and that some silkworms which had been hatched by this process were still alive and healthy.