THE CULTURE OF THE SILKWORM.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 42, 20 February 1868, Page 3

THE CULTURE OF THE SILKWORM.

To xhe Editor op the Nelson Evening Mail-

Sie — 'The fact of your having brought forward my name more than once in your articles in the Evening Mail, showing the great benefit that could be derived from the culture of the silkworm, has induced me to forward to you the results, so far, of my labors.

Some time since I imported a few white mulberry trees, in order to ascertain if they would thrive, of which I was doubtful, as I had seen several mulberry trees in different gardens of so slow a growth as to set aside all ideas of silkworm culture. But lam glad to say that those I have are all that could be desired.

After getting the food, the next thing was to get the worms. A large quantity of eggs were entrusted to my care last year, but owing to the moths not being properly attended to, they turned out a failure. In a short time afterwards, I was presented with about 100 fine worms,, from which I have produced my present .very thriving stock* .

This season has shown me that the silkworm can be raised, and that it will be the fault of the growers if it does not pay. Ifc is a certain fact thafc if these insects are well managed, 211bs. of mulberry leaves will be sufficient to obtain a pound and a balf of cocoons at the end of the fifth spring. 1000 mulberry trees will, on an average, yield 121bs. of leaves each, therefore there would be produced 120001bs. of leaves for the food of the silkworm. These 120001bs. of leaves should produce 8551b5. of cocoons. We must also consider thafc the income increases yearly if the trees are well cultivated. Although out of tbe 1000 there would probably be only 750 which could be stripped annually (250 trees remaining only pruned and fallow), when the 750 trees produce 301bs. of leaves, the yield will be 16051b5. of cocoons, which, reckoning at 2s. per pound, will produce £160 lOs. for little more than two months 1 labor. The calculation I have just offered will be sufficient to show that there exists no branch of industry which interferes so little with others, and yields greater annual profit than the cultivation of mulberry trees and silkworms. Inconcludingthiscommunicationlought to say that the profits which a cultivator can hope to obtain are founded entirely on the judicious planting and culture of the mulberry trees, and ou the careful rearing of the silkworm. The manner of manufacturing silk may vary in different civilised countries, according as the fashions change, but silk will never cease to be most eagerly sought after among all nations, for no natural or artificial production can vie with silk, either in magnificence or brilliancy. You made reference to my pro- | posing a plan to the Acclimatisation I Society. So little, however, can in reality be done until the trees are planted, and the number of families who would take the matter in hand is ascertained, that it is difficult to come to a definite plan. As a commencement, I should recommend thafc the Society procure a suitable quantity of eggs, and give, say 100 eggs to every six trees planted this ensuing winter, thereby gaining the requisite experience as the trees advance, but if the Society feels inclined to push the matter on, it would require a very - different plan, of which more hereafter. Should further information be required, I shall be mosfc happy to give it, for the furtherance of silkworm culture. I am, &c, T. C. Batchelor. Wakapuaka, Feb. 19.