5 
forwarded from Portland, and grown by Mr. E. Plenty’s gardener, is of fair 
quality. Well-prepared samples of “New Zealand phormium,” as it is for the 
future to be called in commercial circles, have been also forwarded to the Com- 
mission. These were obtained from plants grown in Victoria, and, as the cultiva- 
tion is easy and, moreover, the plant perennial, it was thought desirable to 
learn if any of the former difficulties in the way of preparing the fibre for 
market had been removed by the late inquiries iu New Zealand. The Central 
Government was therefore communicated Avith, and, in answer to direct questions 
on the more important points of practice with regard to chemical agents and 
machinery, forwarded copies of the reports from two Iloyal Commissions appointed 
specially to inquire into the cause of these difficulties and suggest means for their 
removal. The first Commission did little beyond promote inquiry ; but the second 
Commission, with Er. Hector as chairman, brought up a most exhaustive report, 
towards the end of last year, supplemented since by an appendix containing the 
results of experiments and analyses conducted by some of the first chemists in 
Great Britain. This mass of valuable information is being reduced to practice at 
the several fiax mills in New Zealand; and although there had previously been great 
improvement in the mode of preparing the fibre for market, principally in conse- 
quence of better machinery being employed, the improvement is likely to be more 
rapid now ; and it will be advisable to note the results, for the phormium can be 
grown Avell on land not readily available for other p\irposes. The subject of fibre 
plants generally is one of vast importance, and will require further attention. 
10. A very useful illustrated table, published at the Government Printing 
Office, Sydney, translated from the Italian of Giuseppe Yallardi, and illustrating the 
development of the Bornbyx Mori^ was obtained by l)r. Thos. Black, President of the 
Acclimatisation Society, at the instance of Dr. Bennett, It depicts the silkworm at 
every stage of its growth, life size; and gives also clear directions for the feeding and 
management of the worms through every change. So trifling is the cost that a framed 
copy should be fixed on the walls of every schoolroom in the country, and the 
Commission have procured many copies for distribution. A knowledge of the silk- 
worm and its habits would be thus insensibly imbibed by every child with a taste 
for pursuits of this kind. The desire for keeping a feAv worms Avould as surely folloAV, 
and this could be gratified by planting the mulberry near each schoolhouse; facilities 
for which have indeed been already afforded by the annual distribution of this useful 
tree from the Botanic Garden. 
11. The Honorable the Chief Secretary was pleased, on the recommendation of 
the Commission, to procure some copies of “The Porcst Trees Planting Encourage- 
ment Act ” of New Zealand. This was passed in November last, and provides that, 
wherever the Act is declared to be in operation, two acres of rural land shall be 
granted for every acre ■ planted successfully with forest trees. The conditions are, 
that the Crown grant for the additional land so allowed is not to issue until the 
trees on the planted land shall have been kept in a vigorous and grooving state for 
two years. The land so planted must be securely fenced against both cattle and 
sheep, and devoted solely to plantation purposes. The requisite number of trees 
to the acre will be defined from time to time by regulations of tlie Governor in 
Council, and no claim Avill be allowed for less than 20 or more than 250 acres. 
Persons Avho have, however, less than 10 acres of trees planted can claim 20 acres 
of land by paying the difference in cash. 
12. Many letters have been received dii’ecting the attention of the Commission 
to the needless waste and destruction of timber in almost every part of the colony, 
more particularly near the principal goldfields. These letters only seem to give 
force to the statements made and the opinions expressed further on in the body of the 
Beport. That urgent action in reference to this subject is needed, becomes daily 
more evident. 
13. In submitting again merely a Progress Report, and reserving the con- 
sideration of many of the questions before us for a future and more full Report, 
we have been mainly actuated by a desire that our present recommendations may 
afford timely aid in any measures concerning industrial instruction, new branches 
of husbandry, ‘and forest management, for the promotion of whicli the Govern- 
ment may see reason to provide administrative and pecuniary means during 
the new financial year. We have therefore deemed it of urgent importance to 
delay no further our representations in reference to the foregoing subjects, and also 
The silkworm. 
Plr.nting Act of 
New Zoahuid. 
Wjt5lc "f timber. 
Necessity for 
early mea- 
sures. 
