Alarming Spread of Silkworm Diseases in China.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4770, 23 April 1884, Page 3

Alarming Spread of Silkworm Diseases in China.

No sooner hate the efforts of Pasteur in France, Briland in Switzerland, Griffitt in Asia Minor, Si/dq.thprs interested in tlip subjugation of tlie: .various maladies which afflict and destroy tie silkworm proved successful, than a cry of despair over the ravages of the'same diseases comes from China, In that country the two principal scourpes are known as Foong-tsun, arising from flatulence ; and Tsalc foong, caused by undue exposure to draught:? of cold air. These ailments correspond fairly .well with the symptoms of Pebrine and Flatcherie, unfortunately so well known in Europe and parts of Turkey in Asia during the past thirty years. Hitherto tLe enormous extent of China, united to the conservative and secretive habits of the people, have in a great measure prevented the spread of those maladies becoming known to foreigners, so that it is only lately, when concealment had become impossible, that something of the extent of the injury has been acknowledged. Suspicions were aroused years ago that, all was not well with the Chinese silk farmers, as the exports had even then begun to diminish at a rate altogether inconsistent with such rate as were due to fluctuations of trade or mutations of weßther. Statistics showed that between 1875 and 1880 the annual consignments of Chinese raw silk to Europe ?aried between 65,000 and 85,000 bales, it had fallen during 1881 and 1882 to 55,000 r bales, and last year the total quantity was under 35,000 bales, the production in certain localities having been only 25 per cent, of the normal crop. As silk, next to tea, is probably the most important article of export that China produces, it will readily be seen how such a continued and rapid diminution in quantity will affect the future when it is stated that last year's loss from this item to her merchants and, revenue amounted to £4,340,000. Impressed with these circumstances, M. Paul* Brnnat, of Shanghai, has recently communicated to a journal of Lyons a copy of a letter addressed by him on the 12th July, 1883, to Li-Hung^Chang, Viceroy of Tientsin, on the subject of the silkworm diseases, which are chiefly blamed for the great falling-off in" the exports. He points out that recent microscopic research in China enabled the inquirers to identify a local malady as - Pebrine, and brands it as being nearly o f r -as- bad a type os that which some years ago almost ruiped the sericultural districts of France and Italy. It now appears that this disease has long been known in China, but had lain comparatively latent; and it is believed that the inherent vigour of the Chinese worm and the favorable climate had delayed the dangerous outbreak of distempen which has latterly occurred. Unfortunately, it is one thing to point out a great and growing evil, as w.ell as its antidote or cure, to an eminent Chinese statesman, such as his Excellency Li-Huug-Cjians, but another matter to have the ad?ice.acted upon. If M. Brunat anticipated that the savants of China will take to the use of the microscope for,the investigation cf silkworm diseases upon the strength of representations f.o the Viceroy of Tientsin, we fear bis expectations will^not be soon fulfilled. Meanwhile there is evidently a lesson in this fresh misfortune which has overtaken • Chinese silk-farmers for our Golonial authorities, particularly the Government of New Zealand, to lay to heart. It will likely be many years ere France and Italy, even with all the resources of science, capital, and experience, can hope , to achieve a return to the splendid silk crop of 1853, and still longer before China will again be able to export 85,000 bales per annum. Why, in the interval, should not the industry be promoted and liberally encouraged in such provinces as Auckland and elsewhere in New Zealand, and in Ceylon, where both mulberry and teu plants have already<been found to thrive ? If one year's loss to China through a partial failure of Jier silk crop is reckoned •at £4,340,CC0, it hardly seems unreasonable to infer that such might have been the gain to our New Zealand and other colonists had they been at present in a position—as has been urged upon them for the last fifteen years—to supply the deficiency.—Glasgow Herald.