CULTURE OF SILK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 17, 20 January 1870, Page 2

CULTURE OF SILK.

Q To F. Huddleston, Esq., Secretar7 of the Nelson Acclimatisation Society. Sir — I will thank you to bring under the notice of the Acclimatisation Society this, my second paper on the production of raw silk in New Zealand as an article of export. In my former paper I stated that I had good reasons for believing a succession of hatchings from the silkworm could be got in a season, thereby considerably increasing the number of cocoons to be obtained from a given number of trees, and I have the satisfaction of beiug able to state, that I have succeeded in producing three hatchings of worms during the present summer. The partial failure of the silk crop for several successive years in those countries in Europe which until lately had furnished for many ages the chief supply, is viewed with great alarm by all persons interested in the manufacture of silk, and has led to the formation, in London, of a "Silk Supply Association," composed chiefly of gentlemen interested in the trade. The object of this Association is to diffuse information concerning the treatment of the silk-worm in countries where the climate is adapted to the growth of the mulberry tree. It was stated by a gentleman at the first meeting of this Association held in London on the 18th of February last, that one acre of laud planted with mulberry trees would produce silk of the value of £100 sterling, and my experience, gained in the four years I have followed sericulture, assures me this calculation will fall greatly short of what may be got from one acre of mulberry trees in this colony when the trees attain a few years' growth, and the hatching of the eggs is spread over the full time that the mulberry tree will furnish food for the worms. My efforts to promote sericulture have been on a limited scale, and I regret it has not been undertaken by some person with means to its importance, so as to have given it more extended trial. It is scarcely possible to over-estimate the value of sericulture to this colony, which possesses a climate in every way adapted for its success. If the Government were to assist in planting out five acres of mulberry tree 0 , so that the farm might be made a nursery both of trees and the eggs of silkworms for distribution at a low charge, the outlay incurred would soon be reimbursed, and the focus would be established of aa industry which could not fail to spread among cottagers, and be taken up by capitalists, and the growth of silk become one of the greatest sources of wealth and prosperity New Zealand can possess. I remain, &c, T. C. Batchelor. Wakapuaka, January 3, 1870.

At the Jewish Convention in Philadelphia, on Nov, 11, the Eev. Dr. Hirsch pronounced a eulogy on the late George Peabody. A resolution was passed that the command to marry the widow of a deceased brother and of taking off the shoe has lost for us all understanding, validity, and binding force. With reference to circumcision, theibllowing resolution was adopted : The male child of a Jewish mother is, by its birth, no less than the female, in accordance with a principle never disputed in Judaism, a member of the Jewish community. Resolutions were offered to dispense with the ceremony of circumcision to" proselytes to Judaism. -■ ,'.' " . Praise makes a wise man modest, a fool arrogant.

! . ■ .. . ■ | Destruction op the Wheat Crop at \ Hawke's Bay.— We regret to learn from « our exchanges that the wheat crop in ; many of the districts in the Province of :' Hawlce's Bay, has been completely des- , ;. troyed by rust supposed to have been f induced by the unusually wet summer. I The New Lighthouses. — The cutter Sandfly has failed for Cape Campbell, having on board the lighting apparatus for the new Lighthouse now in course of erection there. The Sandfly had two months' provisions on board, and Wakeford, the engineer entrusted with fixing the lighting apparatus, was a passenger by her. As soon as his work is completed at Cape Campbell, he will probably proceed to Cape Farewell, on a similar mission. — Wellington Independent. Chatham Islands. — A trade with these islands and Auckland appears to be springing up. There are now in harbor two large schooners — the Rifleman, laden for that destination." and the Kenilworth which has just arrived with a full cnrgo of horses and wool. For the last few years but little trade has been carried on ; but of late, since tbe escape of the Hauhau prisoners, attention has been drawn there, no doubt from the known luxuriance of the pastures grown, and the excellent breeds of cattle, horses, and sheep, which have been fully exemplified by the late shipments. There is also a fine lot of flax country on the island, which the natives describe as having been in former years vast fields of great luxuriance. There is a small European township at Waitaugi, the principal port, which boasts of a roomy and comfortable hotel. — Morning Advertiser, Auckland. Names Wanted for Lady Doctors. — The "handles " to the names of the women doctors and preachers in America are painfully clumsy. Thus we have Mrs Or Charlotte Lozier, and Miss Dr Antoinette Blackwell. We have Miss Rev Olympia Brown, and Rev Dr Mrs Lulu Johnson. If "Miss" Rev Brown should get married she would, of course become "Mrs Rev j" and if some college should make her a Doctor ot Divinity, she would become " Miss Rev Tr " or " Rev Miss Dr," or "Dr Miss Rev ;" and if she should then attain to the supreme digoity of L.L.D., she would then become Rev Dr Mrs Olympia Brown (Smith?), L.L.D. But all these forms are offensive to taste, as well as to the optic and aural nerves. Some of the female physicians call themselves "Doctress, " but that is a vile word. The ■wholesubject is tantalising to our intellect, and we can only recommend itfor discussion to the next meeting of the women's Club. — JNew York Times.