170 
KOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
the climate of New Zealand is, by reason of its great moisture, 
more favourable than that of New South Wales and Queensland 
for the Ailanth silk-worm, and that here they will have fewer 
natural enemies to contend with than in Australia. I read from 
time to time of their having great success with the worm at these 
places. I am very much for a little silk-industry being tried here 
as well. 
I grow specimen plants of the black and white mulberry. Both 
species thrive well. There is always plenty of fruit on the black 
one ; but though the flowers of the white seem to " set " for fruit, 
they have always dropped off up to the present time. We generally 
have a few dishes of black mulberries exhibited at our fruit show 
in autumn every year. At the last show I saw on a plate, from an 
amateur gardener, some black mulberry-leaves, covered over with 
worms of Bombyx mori in a very healthy condition. These were 
the first I had seen since I left England. He is now good- 
natured enough to give away eggs. In my opinion B. mori is 
much hardier than Bombyx cynthice. I think I shall not be far 
wrong in stating my impression of what I thought when I saw the 
black mulberry-worms on the plate, that their strength would 
produce better cocoons and of more value than cocoons from 
Ailanth-worms. 
One merchant here intends planting one acre of young Ailanth 
trees. I am not quite sure that he has not already done it. I hope 
he will succeed with his silk-worm experiment (and may his ex- 
perience gained this last season be of benefit to him !), and as well 
that no climatic obstruction will exist ; and may the quality of the 
silk be improved in the forthcoming season ! 
William Swale. 
Avon-Side Botanic Garden, 
Christ Church, Canterbury, 
New Zealand. 
