SILK CULTURE IN NEW ZEALAND.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1500, 14 February 1882, Page 2

SILK CULTURE IN NE W ZEALAND.

Mr Federli, who is superintending the Government experiments now being made in Canterbury to test the practicability of introducing silk culture into New Zealand, ha 3 forwarded a very interesting report of his progress to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Through* the courtesy of Mr Elliott, the Under-Sec.retary, this report has been submitttdftp our perusal, and we are thus en4|>M£to lay the substance of it before our rtpfers. Mr Federli, in the first place), ■ alludes to the unsatisfactactory results , of the Syndey importation of " grain." (It will be-rembered that we referred in, our last issue to 1 the fact that when this '• grain" arrived last September it was in very bad condition, a large proportion of the eggs having hatched out on the way.) We are glad, however, to hear that Mr Federli, by careful treatment, obtained from this consignment a few silkworms which have already provided sufficient " grain" of a first-class quality for next season's supply. Of the first consignment from Japan, the eggs began hatching out about the 30th December. The change of .climate having rendered the ordinary process very slow, Mr Federli obtained the assistance of Professor Bickerton, and submitted the " grain" to currents of electricity to promote life in the embryo. The result was satisfactory, as already a small number of silkworms have been obtained, and further treatment of the same kind is expected to furnish the necessary supply for next year. The second consignment which arrived by^ the December mail, has been received in firstclass condition, and is expected to hatch out in the ordinary natural way, it having been subjected to longer cold weather in Japan, so that our warmth is likely to give it an impetus. The difficulty as regards hatching is not likely to occur after this year, being entirely due to the "grain" not being acclimatised. Mr Federli states that he has recently inspected some silkworms reared by Mr Nairn, in Christchurch, who has cultivated the same breed for thirteen years. A careful examination revealed no trace of any kind of disease. Mr Nairn, who is very much interested in the attempts now being made to popularise the industry, has sent a large number of his j stock to Mr Federli, who has thus been ! able to make enquirers practically acquainted with the management of silkworms in all their stages. A large number of persons have expressed ther intention to give the industry a trial. Noteworthy facts in reference to Mr Nairn's silkworms are that they have never been attended to with any special cars, and there has often been a difficulty in procuring them food. Notwithstanding these drawbacks they .have continued to propagate freely, ancV TtaHKLnot deteriorated. This is very inrortant, as proving the suitability of the climate. That the mulberry will thrive is proved I by the fact that a Mr Abbott has in his garden a fine hardy specimen of the moms alba which was planted about three years ago. Mr Federli reports that he has received thirteen ounces of cocoons (bivoltbn) from Mr Chas. Spencer, of Taiirauga, from which moths are now laying eggs which will probably hatch in a fortnight. The "grain "of this sample is very even, a proof that the moths are healthy. The question of finding a market for the cocoons having been frequently raised by those who are willing, if assured on thispoint, to make a start in the industry, Mr Federli has taken a very practical step. He has opened up communications with the Kaiapoi Woollen Factory Company with a view to inducing them to work up some of the flosa silk in his possession with other materials. This the company have expressed themselves as -willing to do, and the result is to be shown at the approaching Canterbury International Exhibition. To pro* vide sufficient silk for this purpose Mr Spencer is going to send another lot of cocoons from Tauranga. On the 30th December the Mayor of Christchurch and the President of the Christchurch Industrial Association paid a visit to Mr Federli 's establishment with a view to ascertaining if the industry was one likely to suit the habits of the colonists of New Zealand. They enjoyed the rare opportunity of seeing the whole of the stages, from the old "grain" through the silkworn to the production of the new "grain." Mr Federli showed them the process of reeling the silk on a machine invented by himself, and made at a cost of 18s 6d. The visitors expressed themselves very pleased with ,what they had seen, and promised to assist in the encouragement of the industry. They agreed with Mr Federli in the necessity for instituting a central silkworm -rearing establishment as a , preliminary step. People could visit this, and see the work in progress. About four acres of land would be required for the mulberry Jrees necessary to supply leaves for the silk' worms and cuttings for distribution. Mr Federli thinks about 2000 trees should be planted, each from three to five years old. The cost of the buildings would not exceed £500. — iV. Z. L Gazelle,