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Otago Daily Times, Issue 22066, 23 September 1933, Page 5

Five years ago Mr D. Shannon, of Birmingham, who made a hobby of collecting butterflies, visited London, .and his guide pointed out to hint the clumps of mulberry trees in Buckingham Palace grounds that, had been planted by King James .I, in .the hope .of starting a silkworm breeding industry in England. Mr Shanon was at once interested, and he borrowed eggs of moths and butterflies from the insect house at the Zoo. When at home -Mr Shannon began a long series of experiments, and at last was able by . certain ray treatment to complete the full cycle of development, and breed the. Atlas and Lunar moths from the egg, worm, chrysalis and back again to the moth stage. The commercial advantage is that it enables ton crops of silk to be produced each year. A British syndicate has been formed to establish a silkproducing centre.