ARRIVAL OF SILK “GRAIN” IN NEW ZEALAND.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1015, 22 December 1881, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF SILK “GRAIN” IN NEW ZEALAND.

The Inst mail steamer from San Francisco brought to hand the first fruits of the negotiations which have been going on for some months between the Government and Mr R. G. Creighton in reference to the introduction of silkworm “grain” into New’ Zealand with a view to its distribution for the purpose of seri-culture. In accordance with the request oi the Minister of lands, Mr Creighton some months

back opened up a correspondence on the subject with Mr Alcock, the public inspector of silk in Yokohama, J apan, which resulted in that gentleman readily undertaking to superintend the shipment of a largo quantity of silkworm eggs and mulberry slips to this Colony via San Francisco. W e should mention that Mr Creighton was chosen as the medium of the correspondence owing to the interest he has always taken in the progress of New Zealand industries, and also from the fact that Japan and San Francisco are in constant communication by a regular steam service. The consignment wnich came to hand last month consisted of two cards of eggs, one being the sort known as the best green from the Oshin district, and the other the best green from the Sinshin district. Mr Alcock, in a letter to Mr Creighton, a copy of which that gentleman forwarded with the consignment, says that these two districts supply the best silk in Japan. The varieties are not, however, the most profitable, as they only give one crop in the year. The white and bivoltini sorts which were ordered in addition to those sent could not be forwarded at the same time as the others as they are later varieties and were not ready. The mulberry slips also could not be sent, as the sap was not down in the trees at the time. The eggs which came to hand were forwarded immediately to Mr Federli, at Christchurch, who had made preparation for their reception, and who has since sent word that they arrived in splendid condition. We understand that the process of hatching out commenced on the 19th ult., and is now going on. The main consignment, consisting of eight cards of eggs and 2000 mulberry trees of the alba variety is expected by this month’s mail steamer. In order to give them every chance the eggs will be unpacked in Auckland and distributed in small parcels to any respectable persons who may wish to receive them, as it is the intention of the Government to encourage seri-culture as a cottage industry. We regret to hear that the silk-worm eggs which were procured from Sydney at the end of September did not turn out very well, as many of them were hatched before they came to hand. With these eggs arrived 500 mulberry trees. These were also distributed by Mr Federli, 24 of them being taken by the Christchurch Domain Board, 29 by Mr Federli himself, 24 by the School of Agriculture, 24 by Mr Potts, 12 each by Mr B. Allan and Mr Jameson, of the Industrial Association, and the rest in half-dozens being distributed to about 75 farmers, settlers and others. We are glad to see the Government taking such active steps for the inauguration of this industry, and trust that they will receive from the Colonists the active co-operation they are entitled to expect.— New Zealand Industrial Gazette.