SERICULTURE IN WESTLAND.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1710, 27 January 1874, Page 2

SERICULTURE IN WESTLAND.

« .it. ' ; i. [TO EHB .EDITOR. J Sir— ln observing the advancement of new Zealand in 'the different" branches of industry, I; wish to-poini-out, or rather suggest, that^beside& n th(9, encouragement of immigration, the, liberality of land settlement, of railroad making, of easy means of developing' the I 'gold-fields, of making roads; -tracks, .water-races, &c., it requires for the; benefit of the present and future generation other very important introductions suitable for the climate and land of, the country; one of which I wish 1 to give my opinion of is the introduction 'of mulberry trees. I have, observed' iti differed plages, where it appears that! the inhabitants make a start for settlement, that at the different plantation there is no appearance of any introduction of some of the vory important continental industries, perhaps a good majority nothing aware of this suitable climate-that we have in this new Colony, which is suitable for many purposes. ■ " ;', .Now, sir, it is my firmjbejief %t th« climate of New Zealand,, a^d .especially of % West qoast^ißv^^i^ass climate - for the growing of mulberry trees. lam

aware that for the present this Colony is not in a position to compete in this branch of industry with Switzerland, Italy, afad and other old countries j but the introduction of mulberry trees is not too soon, for in my opinion it need not be very lqng before the people in these colonies willjbe able to produce silk as cheaply as in old countries. Some time ago I had the pleasure of reading in the DayUsford Express that some Swiss enterprisers are going to establish the silk cultivation where there are to be seen jin many gardens and other grounds goodsized mulberry trees, of which I wopld like to see the New Zealanders taking example of, instead of planting gum or other useless trees. They should plant mulberry trees, so as to be able in future days to spread the seed in the Colony, so to coveij a good portion of the valuable land, and to have the privilege of a silk harvest in about forty days from the birth of jthe silkworm to the completion of the cocojon, then ready for sale to merchants for ready cash. Mr Yogel deserves credit in his endeavors for the development of the country, but this and other important matters [less expensive to the Government, are still (left by our authority in a state of lethargy. Hoping that this will persuade our seedsmen to always keep mulberry $eed in stock, so as to give settlers an opportunity of introducing the above-mentioned industry on a cheap scale, and of great importance to the Colony, I am. &c, Leonard Pozzi. Hokitika, January 23, 1874. : (For continuation of I\ews see 4th page)