July 1 1865.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



PROGRESS IN SILK CULTURE. 547 



nation of the samples of silk sent in competition for the Government 

 premiums. They are happy to be able to state that, after careful inspec- 

 tion, they are unanimously of opinion that the specimens exhibited 

 were superior to their anticipations, and such as to justify a belief that 

 silk of a superior order may, in time, be expected to be produced in 

 Australia. Only four persons competed, but the quantity shown by one 

 was considerable, and the quality of two of the four very fair. The 

 strength of the tissue was sufficiently good to render the silk fairly 

 marketable, although not equal to the European standard ; which ia 

 attributable chiefly to there not being as yet a superior class of silk- 

 worms in the country. The reeling, likewise, had been carefully done ; 

 but, from want of experience and a trained instructress, it was not 

 executed in the manner required to sell the silk in the French and 

 Italian markets. These are merely the defects incidental to every new 

 industry inaugurated by volunteers, which are easily removable, and 

 in no respect affect the success of this, the first systematic attempt to 

 ascertain the sericultural capabilities of Australia. To proceed to the 

 award. In recommending the premium of 201. to be allotted to Mrs. 

 Timbrell, the judges do so on account of a good average quality being, 

 in this instance, combined with quantity. The quality was not superior 

 to that of the specimens exhibited by Mrs. Lewis, but the quantity was 

 far greater. The industry and care manifested by this lady appeared 

 to give her justly the preference. At the same time, as the quality of 

 the specimen exhibited by Mrs. Lewis is equally satisfactory, the judges 

 would respectfully recommend a second prize of 51. to be assigned to 

 her, if the funds are available, and the board should acquiesce. The 

 specimens exhibited by Mr. Ross were, upon the whole, good, but were 

 deficient in quantity ; and the quality was likewise not equal to that of 

 the two first exhibitors. They do not attribute this either to want of 

 skill or care in Mr. Ross ; and, as that gentleman has displayed a 

 laudable activity in the promotion of sericulture, they beg to recom- 

 mend him for an honourable mention. The fourth lot was inferior in 

 quality, but not so much so as to discourage the exhibitor from future 

 attempts. The undersigned would respectfully submit to the board the 

 following recommendations, in case of a similar or larger sum being 

 granted for the encouragement of sericulture in the year 1865": — 1. 

 That the number of premiums be increased and the amount diminished, 

 as it is probable that the quality of future samples will closely approach 

 each other. 2. That exhibitors of cocoons may be equally entitled to 

 the premiums with those of spun silk, as the export of cocoons is easy 

 and practicable. 3. That the board would be pleased to exercise its 

 influence in favour of the introduction of a superior class of silkworm 

 from Italy, France, Persia, and China. 4. That the board woidd, if they 

 approve, recommend the renewal, and, if possible, an increase of the 

 Government grant.— (Signed.) M. L. King, A. Martelli, J. J. Stutzer, 

 Jas. Reid." 



