TEA AND SILK FABMING IN NEW ZEALAND. 237 



The merits and attractions of Scotch marmalade are too well 

 known wherever civilised man has penetrated to render it neces- 

 sary to expatiate upon the subject here ; so it need only be added 

 that with such facilities for its production by the company as 

 could easily in time be developed, a most important auxiliary 

 would be added to chasericulture, also affording numerous open- 

 ings for both educated and crude female labour. 



A difference of opinion exists regarding the desirability of 

 cultivating olives and vines together upon the same farm ; but 

 happily the feeling is unanimous in ascribing entire suitability 

 to parts of Xew Zealand for both products. On this point an 

 Italian authority (Mr. G. B. Federli, of the Survey Department, 

 New Zealand, in his evidence printed by the Colonial Industries 

 Commission, p. 40) says : — " The cultivation of the vine requires 

 the identical kind of soil that is necessary for the olive, and the 

 same treatment in planting, consequently when they are culti- 

 yated together the labour is at least lessened one-third, and 

 without the slightest disadvantage to either. One more important 

 item is that, if it should occur that the olive trees fail for one 

 year — as is the case sometimes in the countries where it is 

 cultivated — the vines assist in lessening the loss, it being rarely 

 the case that both fail. In this way the plot of land will never 

 be unproductive ; in fact, the practice of cultivating olives and 

 vines together is now much extended in Italy." 



On the sericicultural industry this gentleman, in the same 

 communication to the commissioners, thus writes : — " The mul- 

 berry is far more easily cultivated than the olive, and almost 

 every kind of soil is suitable for its growth. I have every 

 reason to believe that the cultivation of silkworms can be intro- 

 duced not only in the North but also in the Middle Island. 

 This tree, when once properly planted, requires no more atten- 

 tion. Regarding the cultivation of silkworms, there is no doubt 

 that it requires some skill, but that can easily be acquired. In 

 Italy and France it is well known that, where the climate is 

 suitable, this industry is extended to a very large scale. Hun- 

 dreds of thousands of families who possess not a palm of soil 

 obtain support from this cultivation. Every landowner, as a 

 rule, grows more mul])erry trees than he requires for his own 

 production, and the surplus is given to those people who are 

 willing to cidtivate a certain quimtity of silkworms ; the owner 

 receives half the value of the produce contained in the cocoons 

 in exchange for the leaves. This industry is not only carried on 

 by the lower, but also by the better classes. This cultivation 

 requires some care and attention, and is well adapted for women, 

 and generally ladies of good standing also take great interest 

 in this important and fascinating industry. ... I am ]>repared 

 to assert that a woman, without neglect of her domestic duties, 



