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breeder from the rearing of Silk worms. There is no difference 

 of ideas and opinions between them on these points. 



But differences are observed in the replies to the second 

 series of question, on the rearing of the Silk worms and the 

 manner of treating the cocoons. 



Mr. D'Unienville in his reply, gives his opinion that Serici- 

 culture in Mauritius should be confined to the cultivation of 

 the Mulberry and rearing of Silk worms, and that the cocoons 

 should be smoothered and sent to Europe to be there reeled 

 and converted into Silk for commercial purposes. 



Mr. Descroizilles inquires why the cocoons should not be 

 reeled on the spot — the preparation of them for exportation, 

 requires minute care, and the quality of "the Silk would be 

 often deteriorated. He adds : " Silk has already been reeled 

 " in Mauritius, and thanks to the care bestowed on it by Mr. 

 " D'Unienville and myself, it has been pronounced in the 

 " London Markets to be of very good quality." 



These differences are not in themselves of material conse- 

 quence, as the question in view is, not the foundation of an 

 Establishment for the rearing of Silk worms, or the Spinning 

 of Silk, but simply to remove any doubts in the minds of the 

 Silk Supply Association, as to the possibility of creating such 

 Establishments, with satisfactory results, in Mauritius. 



But something more serious is mentioned by Mr. D'TJnien- 

 ville. In reply to the question : " Have you seen the llns- 

 cardine among your Silk worms ?" Mr. D'Unienville says : 

 *' Yes." Mr. Descroizilles says : " No." 



Here the task of the Committee becomes more difficult and 

 delicate. Mr. D'Unienville says that he has observed the 

 Muscardine among his Silk worms at Savane. " Two of 

 my neighbours, says Mr. Descroizilles, have assured me that 

 they have seen the MmcardAne among their Silk worms, but 

 they may have mistaken the Jaundice, a common, but mild 

 disease with the Muscardine which is a real plague, Mr. Des. 

 croizilles believes that Mr. D'Unienville is in error. Absorbed 

 as he was with the care of the Spinning Establishment at 

 Port Louis, he could not superintend the rer.ring of his Silk 

 worms at Savane — they were left to the care of his Indian 



