IN NEW ZEALAND.

V.—No. i

19

No. 15. The Under Seceetaey to the Hon. Seceetaey, Canterbury Acclimatization Society. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sic,— Wellington, 27th June, 1870. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, and in reply am directed by Mr. Gisborne to thank you for the Beport on Sericulture from the Council of the Canterbury Acclimatization Society enclosed therewith. I have, &c, The Hon. Secretary, G. S. Coopee, Canterbury Acclimatization Society, Christchurch. Under Secretary.

No. 16. Bepoet on Silk Cultuee in the State op California, by Me. Willtam Baldwin. Introductory. To the efforts of the late Mr. Prevost, a Frenchman, residing on the Guadaloupo Biver, near San Jose, in this State, California is mainly, if not entirely, indebted for the introduction of this great industry. He was its earliest pioneer, and a perfect enthusiast in its cause, not sparing himself, his time, or his money in promoting its advancement. But this advancement has been very slow. Like all now undertakings, this too had many difficulties to contend against, and many prejudices to overcome. It is only now, indeed, after the lapse of sixteen years since Mr. Prevost planted his first mulberry tree, and ten since his first cocoon was spun, that the culture of silk can be said to bo engaged in as a pursuit worthy of the great future in store for it. Mr. Prevost's attention was first attracted to the subject by observing how peculiarly favourable the climate was for the prosecution of this industry ; the freedom from rain, thunder, and lightning during a great part of the year, more particularly during the months of May, June, and July, when the worms are being fed, and the absence of electrical disturbances in the atmosphere—a matter of paramount importance. In 1854 he procured some mulberry seed from France, that grew up with a rapidity and luxuriance truly surprising. Ho then had some eggs imported, but for two years they were bad. In writing of the matter afterwards he says, "I told Mr. Hentsh, of San Francisco, that it would be good now to import some eggs. He procured me some from China; but the eggs were bad or had been spoilt on tho voyage, and none of this first importation hatched. The year after some more were procured, but with the same result. For the third time Mr. Hentsh ordered some more; again from China, and some also from France. They all arrived here in the spring of 1860. It proved that the Chinese were not very good, as one or two dozen only hatched ; but the lot from France hatched out finely. They produced fine superior cocoons, the samples of which forwarded by me to France were pronounced to be of first-rate quality." From 1860, however, until 1866, very little interest was taken in the new industry ; at all events, it made very little if any progress in the State. But in this year, through the efforts of Mr. Prevost, the attention of the State Legislature was directed to the subject, and its action, though hasty, has been the means of giving an impetus to the pursuit, and of placing it in its present position— a position which it would have taken years to acquire if left to itself. State Assistance. The policy of the United States generally, and of California in particular, has been to foster by aid, monetary and otherwise, her native industry of every description. In California, this aid by the State has been found most beneficial. Many private enterprises owe their present prosperity to the assistance thus granted them ; and under the operation of the Act of 1862, there have sprung into existence cotton mills, woollen mills, powder mills, white lead manufactories, paper factories, boot and shoe factories, resin factories, breweries, distilleries, hop, cotton, beet-growing, tobacco, and flax cultivations —all creating property which contributes annually to the State four times more money than it has ever been required to pay in bounties. Acting in this spirit, and considering tho importance of the subject, the Legislature in 1866 passed a Bill entitled " An Act for the encouragement of Silk Culture in California." In this Act it is provided that " there shall be paid from any money in the Treasury otherwise unappropriated, the following sums for each of the articles herein enumerated, grown within the State of California, for the term of four years from the passage of this law :— " First —For each plantation of five thousand mulberry trees of the age of two years, two hundred and fifty dollars. " Second —For the production of each one thousand silk cocoons, three hundred dollars." The assistance thus offered by the State, as I have already stated, proved highly advantageous in promoting the development of the young industry. Public attention was directed to it. The State Agricultural Society lent its powerful aid; many persons were induced to enter into it; and thenceforward, the culture of silk in California progressed steadily, if not rapidly, and its permanency became secured. Thousands of trees were planted in 1866, and the numbers were still further increased by cuttings in 1867, in which year there were 400 lbs. of seed imported from France as well. In the year just ended it is calculated there were upwards of four millions of mulberry trees in the State. But many of those who entered into this pursuit, after the passing of the Act of 1866, did so from speculative motives, and for the sole purpose of claiming the subsidy. To those, of course, it became the great object to crowd as many trees as they possibly could into a given space, regardless as to the supply of sun and air, and as to the rules generally observed in planting. The Legislature, to stop this pernicious system, stepped in and amended the Act of 1866, by declaring that the premium of 250 dollars should 5