— 68 — 



questions were forwarded to them in furtherance of the wishes 

 of the London Silh Suioply Association, communicate^ to the 

 Eoyal Society by His Excellency the Q-overnor. 



The questions were divided into three series embracing the 

 whole of that branch of industry, viz : — 



1. The cultivation of the Mulberry tree. 



2. The rearing of silk worms. 



3. The spinning or reeling of the Silk. 



Those gentlemen who have spent several years of their lives 

 In laudable efforts to implant the culture of Silk in Mauritius, 

 are agreed on several points. They differ in opinion on some 

 others. But both agree in stating that the Mulberry tree thrives 

 in almost every part of Mauritius, where it may be said to be 

 naturalised. They prefer the white Mulberry (Morus alba.) 

 the very species introduced from China and cultivated in the 

 southern parts of Europe for the purpose of feeding Silk 

 WDrms. 



But Mr. Descroizilles adds that he has obtained equally 

 good silk from worms fed with the leaves of the black Mulberry, 

 and of the Mulberry with small dentated leaves. They are 

 also agreed as to the profits which small proprietors might 

 derive from the sale of Mulberry leaves — the trees if pruned 

 and properly cared for, would yield large quantities of leaves. 



As to question No. 5 : " after what time would the Mul- 

 berry tree produces leaves fit for the feeding of the Silk 

 worms ?" Mr. D'Unienville says : '' after twelve months." 

 Mr. Descroizilles : *' in, from six to nine months-" We are 

 inclined to believe that Mr. D'TJnienville's opinion is the more 

 correct. 



In answer to question No. 7 : '" is the cultivation of the 

 Mulbery expensive ? " Mr. D'Fnienville says : '* Tes, in cer- 

 tain places — no, in others." Mr. Descroizilles answers : No — 

 and he believes that a plantation capable of producinj^ a large 

 quantity of leaves, would not cost more than £ 10 per acre. 



In other respects, both these gentlemen are agreed as to 

 the possibility of cultivating the Mulberry with success in 

 Mauritius, and as to the advantages which might be derived 

 from it ; by the planter from the sale of the leaves, and by the 



