15 
Mr. Robinet, the proprietor of the largest Sericicole establish¬ 
ment in France, a most able scricioolturist, and judicious writer 
says, that in a new country the sericicole industry cannot be 
expected to take deep root unless it is initiated by a large model 
establishment, which is a nursery, not only of plants but of 
worms of t he right sort, and at the same time a training school 
for reelers and breeders. (I) 
And this opinion of Mr. Robinet is corroborated by facts : if 
we follow step by step the history of sericiculture, we find that 
in every country where it is flourishing—where, as in France 
and Italy, nine-tenths of the silk produced comes from within 
the walls of the cottage, we find that this industry invariably 
originated in a model establishment formed and supported by 
public money. , 
A n d even in our days France has establishments of this sort, 
not only in her young colony of Algeria, but on her own soil: 
the government has lately founded a vast model and experimental 
establishment, comprising the three branches of this industry, and 
farmers’ children are admitted and trained there, both theorecti- 
cally and practically for the sericicole profession. Two eminent 
professors are attached to the establishment. 
If in a nation so self industrious as the French—if in a coun¬ 
try where the sericicole industry has been flourishing for three 
centuries, and gives employment and bread to millions—if among 
producers whose silk is considered the best in the world—the 
government found it advisable to take this step—I leave it to 
the public to decide what the government or the people of 
Victoria ought to do. 
O) The word reeling eeoms to imply a very simple and easy process; bat as legal s 
the cocoons it is rather ft complicated ono, and calls not only for ft previous a 
somewhat scientific training, but for steadiness, attention and judgment on tlie part 
of the roeler. 
Any person requiring information about the silkworm industry, 
may obtain it by writing to Mons. J. Nerevy, larraberg, 
Richmond, and enclosing postage stamp for the answer. 
Abbott St Co., Printers, Melbourne. 
