f 
6 
In a word, people do not know, and cannot possibly know 
what silkworms are, how they should be trained, fed, and treated; 
how to deal with the cocoons, the chrysalis, or the eggs ; how to 
reel the silk, &c., &c;, and in fact all this is a science, and, if not 
a very difficult, at least a pretty nice and minute one, which 
requires a careful and constant attention and a good deal of 
practice, industry, and dexterity. 
How can this ignorance be removed ? A merely theoretical 
teaching either oral or written would not be sufficient; a practical 
training is likewise required, which could be only obtained in a 
model sericicole establishment, formed either by the government 
or by a company which would go to the expense of it. 
Thus people do not care about an industry which they are not 
conversant with, and which they could not, in fact, as 
individuals carry on at present with any chance of success. 
2nd. Prejudices, and apparent difficulties. I heard so many 
and such frivolous objections expressed, that it would be waste of 
time to attempt to review them all; I will only say I am prepaired 
to answer any objection which may be proposed". Yet 1 think 
proper to meet at once the two main objections. Where to find 
mulberry trees? Would they thrive in the colony? Where to find 
silkworms? Would they thrive in the colony ? 
The mulberry tree is a very hardy plant, which grows 
everywhere : where the vine thrives, the mulberry tree will thrive 
also. It may be propagated either from seed, layers, or cuttings ; 
when of a certain age it requires very little care, and in this 
country it grows more easily, rapidly, aud luxuriantly than in 
Trance or Italy. 
There are now round Melbourne (as I have ascertained), a 
number of plants of mulberry trees, quite sufficient to have a 
good start with : three thousand plants might be procured and 
planted this very year, if wanted. 
As for the silkworms, I heard say they might be found in the 
wild state in this colony; yet I would not recommend them until 
they have been thoroughly tested; but nothing is more easy 
than to get seeds, either from Europe, Bengal, or China. (I) 
If in past ages, when communication was so slow and sur¬ 
rounded with so many difficulties, silkworms were imported from 
China and Persia to Trance and Italy, surely in our days they 
might be imported into Australia. 
But would they thrive in this colony ? Why not ? They thrive 
through the whole Empire of China, in Persia, Turkey, Greece, 
Italy, Trance, Germany, Spain, Algeria, Brazil, etc., but 
(I) At six mouths* notice I could procure any quantity of seeds which might bo 
rr n II t i-ftrt. 
