26 



Southern France, to 3ay nothing of the vast numbers of people 

 in India, and Japan who raise the silkworm. I have been for 

 several years breeding the silkworm, and have got good results 

 from the first imporiation of eggs by the Natal Government 

 from Italy. Durban produces the mulberry leaves for 9 months 

 in the year. I have produced coccoons equal in size and strength 

 to the best Italian, yet I regret to say that coccoon raising in 

 Durban is a failure. The silkworm eggs came from Italy ; its 

 natural condition is its spontaneous hatching during the months 

 of June, July and August, just the very months when the 

 mulberry trees have no leaves on them for feeding the worms. 

 If it were possible for the silkworms to hatch in September or 

 any other summer month, then I feel assured that coccoon rais- 

 ing for export could be undertaken with profit. There are other 

 species of silkworm ; I have been informed that the " Iolanthe " 

 breed would suit Durban climate best, as these worms feed on 

 the leaves of the Castor oil plant Hicinus communis. I received 

 a few seed that was sent from Kew Gardens to St. Helena, I 

 have one tree which has kept its leaves green all through the 

 past two winters; I have 20 other trees, seedlings from this one, 

 all their leaves were green and plentiful in a very dry and sandy 

 soil all this past winter ; this proves that it is possible to raise 

 the Iolanthe silk worm with success; such a success could not be 

 estimated at present. 



The Coast lands are doubtless well adapted for the growth 

 of cotton, and for which field labour is constantly required all 

 the year, whilst the labour required for silk culture can be con- 

 fined to three months per year, the price of cotton being 6d. per 

 lb., and the price of silk 6s. 



The difficulty is to obtain this special kind. I have been 

 promised some from St. Helena, to which place the first attempt 

 was a failure, being too long on the voyage. The eggs of the 

 Italian breed may travel safely for a year, but not so with the 

 Iolanthe, the coccoons have to be conveyed quickly as the eggs 

 generate very quickly after hatching. 



As you are in communication with gentlemen in India, 

 would you be pleased to make full enquiries, as to the cost of 

 introducing this new variety into Durban, with direct steam 

 service : some 20 or 30 coccoons could be brought as a trial, and 

 if only a couple of oairs could be safely landed the breed would 

 be secured. 



I remain, Sir, 



Yours lespectfuily, 



(Signed) W. H. CROWLEY. 



