CULTIVATION OF SILKWORMS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 285, 2 December 1868, Page 3

CULTIVATION OF SILKWORMS.

To thb Editor, op the Nelson Evening Mail. Sißr-In your issue of the 14th ultimo one of your correspondents signing himself ' Waimea,' requests an answer to the four following questions: — 1. Will it pay to grow tbe silkworm, and if so, iv what mariner? 2, What kind of mulberry-tree is suitable ifor the food of the worms? 3. The manner of procedure. 4. What amount may be got by growi_g silkworms, say for three years? I will endeavor to reply to these questions in tbe same order. 1. The fact that the market is not likely to be overstocked with raw silk for a number of years to come, constitutes a great incentive to the cultivation of this new source of industry, and as Italy and the .south of France derive the principal part of their income from the silkworm and olive, all things taken into consideration, I can see no reason why both should not be produced in Nelson with equally successfujresults. As far as the indoor cultivation of the silkworm is concerned, I have proved that a . good silk can be got, and healthy worms produced,, and if I succeed this present season in raising cocoons in the open air, there can be no doubt whatever on the subject. The veriest sceptic must give in, and moreover, if the common silkworm can be managed out of doors, the way will at once be paved for the introduction of the justly celebrated ailanthus, for which I am preparing for uext season, in conjunction with the fourcast silkworm. 2. The kind of mulberry tree that I h&jre imported is that known as the broadleaved Tuscan, which is considered to be •the best silk- producing mulberry. 3. Simply hatch the eggs and carefully feed ihe worms until they form the cocoon, a period extending over from 30 to 40 days, then shortly afterwards destroy the grub in the cocoon by baking or scalding. The raw silk is packed in boxes and sent borne for the market. 4. Very, little profit can be made for the first. three years,- as the leaves are not of much value until the third year. It is calculated that the fourth year produces at the rate of £\5 per acre, increasing every year with the growth of the trees. I would suggest: that black currant and raspberry trees, should be planted between the mulberry trees, 'as there is an ever-ready mar- • kefe for these fruits, for jam, &c, and as the culture of the mulberry occupies but a -short time, the one would help the other as sources of industry new at all events to Nelson, • '„. I am, &c, T..C..8. Suburban North, Dec. 1. tint" ;i '*'