6 



Mr. Albert Le Souef, the Usher of the Legislative Council, were 

 secured for the duties of honorary secretary. Under his management 

 the Society bids fair to again become extensively useful. 



At the date of the last report, the Society was daily expecting 

 the arrival of some ostriches from South Africa ; the birds, four in 

 number, reached Melbourne in safety, and Mr. Samuel Wilson, of 

 Longerenong, kindly undertook their charge. They have now 

 increased to sixteen, and there is every reason to suppose that 

 their numbers will be considerably augmented in the course of 

 this season. So far the experiment has been a marked success- 

 Ostrich farming is a profitable occupation at the Cape Colony, 

 and it is hoped will ultimately become so here. The climate of the 

 Wimmera district appears to be well adapted to their habits; as a proof 

 of which, the young Australian birds are now taller than the parent 

 stock. 



The Society has disposed of a number of Angora goats during the 

 last two years, having been compelled to do so, in consequence of 

 their financial position ; though much regretted at the time, this 

 must prove of advantage to the colony, as these animals are now in 

 a great many hands, and as all who possess them are fully alive 

 to their value, it is hoped that care and attention will be 

 paid to them. A number of males have been purchased by persons 

 who wished to place them with the common white goat ; the cross 

 produces a fine and docile animal. The Society is now in possession 

 of about seventy pure Angoras, the greater number of which are at 

 Mr. Wilson's station, on the Wimmera, a locality in every way 

 suited to them. 



The Society has done and is doing all in its power to encourage 

 sericulture in the colony, and to this end has, in conjunction with 

 Dr. Von Mueller, sent white mulberry cuttings and plants to 

 all parts of Victoria. Before this industry can become a commercial 

 success a sufficient supply of food must be provided for the worms, 

 and it is of interest to observe the large number of applications 

 for cuttings to form plantations, and the great desire evinced to test 

 practically so profitable and desirable an industry. Some months 

 ago a box of silk-worm eggs was sent by the Government of India to 

 His Excellency the Governor, who kindly handed them to the Society 



