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posed of in the manner suggested by Mr. Federli in the correspondence forwarded with the letterabove quoted. H. J. H. Eliott, U nder- Seer etary.

Enclosure in No. 6. Mr. Fedeeli to the Undee-Seceetaey, Crown Lands. Sir,— Survey Office, Christchurch, 28th March, 1883. Adverting to my letter of the 23rd January, I have the honour to inform you that yesterday I proceeded to Lyttelton with the object of making arrangements with the engineer in charge of the refrigerator on board the steamship " British Queen " for the transmission of the grain (silkworm eggs) to London. The engineer, Mr. Scott, very kindly offered all his attention in taking the grain to London in the most satisfactory condition. He thinks that he can manage to keep the grain at the desired temperature of about 32° Fahr., and tolerably dry. As the grain will arrive in London at a rather warm season it would be prudent that care be taken not to expose the grain to a sudden rise of temperature, but if circumstances permit to a gradual one. Of course, the grain on arrival in London must be without any delay sent on to the person who has undertaken the task of hatching and rearing the worms. I beg you will let me know to whom I have to address the parcel containing the grain, &c, for the 2nd of April next, on which day I have to deliver it on board the " British King." I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Crown Lands, Wellington. G. B. Federli.

No. 7. The Undee-Secretary, Immigration, to the Agent-General. Memorandum for the Agent-General. Immigration Office, Wellington, 11th April, 1883. Eefereing to Memorandum No. 52, of the 6th instant, the accompanying copies of correspondence relative to the silkworm grain shipped from Lyttelton by the "British King," are forwarded for the information of the Agent-General. H. J. H. Eliott, Under-Secretary. Enclosure 1 in No. 7. Mr. Fedebli to the Undee-Seceetary, Crown Lands. :Sie, — Survey Office, Christchurch, 7th April, 1883. In compliance with your telegram of the 3rd instant, I have delivered on board the steamer •"British King" a box containing three cards of silkworm eggs (two cards of annuals and one of bivoltine), addressed to the Agent-General for New Zealand in London. I hope that my letter to the Agent-General, of which I have the honour to enclose a copy, has not passed the limits of your instructions. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary, Crown Lands, Wellington. G. B. Federli.

Enclosure 2 in No. 7. Mr. Fbdekli to the Agent-Genekal. Bib,— Survey Office, Christchurch, 7th April, 1883. I am directed by the Under-Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington, to forward to you by the steamship " British King" a box containing grain (silkworm eggs), Bombyx mori, according to advice in previous correspondence. The box of grain, for which I beg to enclose the bill of lading, is in the special care of Mr. Scott, engineer in charge of the refrigerating machinery in the abovenamed vessel. I beg you to forward, with as little delay as possible, the grain to the person who has been engaged to undertake the hatching and rearing of the silkworms, and it is desirable that special care be taken of the box from the time that it leaves the refrigerating chamber until it reaches the hands of the sericulturist, that it is kept in a pretty cool atmosphere and dry. The object of sending a sample of New Zealand grain to Europe (taking advantage of the refrigerating appliances now available) is to see if it would answer in years to come for an export in larger quantities. Scientific experiments have shown that silkworm eggs can be hatched at any time if, a few weeks after they have been laid by the moths, the temperature is brought down to freezing point, and kept so for at least forty days; whereas, in ordinary course, the eggs could not be brought to hatch until the following season, or by means of electricity, which cannot always be relied on. Our grain, being ready in January, could go through the required forty days' artificial hibernating in the refrigerating chambers of the steamers during the voyage, and so arrive before spring in Europe ready for hatching. My experiments during the last two years lead me to the conclusion that some parts of New Zealand, for soil and climate, are exceptionally adapted for sericulture, and that the industry can be made profitable from its infancy. You are aware that the European silk-growing countries are, for the last twenty-five years, to a very great extent dependent for the production of raw silk to the Japanese grain, which in late years has not given entire satisfaction. If the colonists are in earnest, as they appear to be, I venture to say that in a few years New Zealand can export grain of a quality and health unsurpassed, and which must command the highest price. Bearing silkworms for the sake of grain gives a return, at the current prices, of about five times larger to that obtained for cocoons for silk. From this you will perceive the importance that this first sample should, if possible, be carefully treated, and I hope to be justified in begging you that the observations, results, and suggestions of the sericulturist be in due time communicated to the Government for future guidance. I have, &c, G. B. Federl

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