sort from my brother in Dayleaford. The signor went to work 
with full confidence, and the result was a success beyond expecta- 
tion, both as to the quality and quantity of the silk, and the 
superior condition and health of the worms. All this wa3 
exhibited at the New Zealand Exhibition. Since then a few 
citizens who possessed mulberry trees made experiments, with 
good results, which were exhibited at a local .exhibition at Christ¬ 
church in 1881. All this went to prove beyond doubt the facilities 
and climatic advantages for this important industry, and as Sir 
George Verdon remarked, “ it would find pleasant employment 
for the women and children of the family, and greatly increase 
the farmer’s profits.” Now, as to the failure of sericiculture in 
Victoria, I believe that about 17 years ago a large company was 
formed in Melbourne ta carry on this industry, but it soon 
collapsed, owinz to being over-officered and subjected to too many 
useless formalities, aud left a want of confidence behind in one of 
the most important industries of Southern Enrope. The same 
reason has retarded sericiculture in the United States for about 
40 years, but some years ago they made a fresh attempt on a 
proper basis, and now- are making great progress with a lively 
public spirit, and it is at present a great silk producing country. 
In California millions of mulberry trees are planted every year by 
private farmers. Why does this fine colony not follow the 
example of America? If it pays thero it ought to pay here. If 
the farmers of Victoria will follow the example of the Americans, 
and plant a limited number of mulberry trees, and allow five 
years for their growth, they can utilise them in the cultivation of 
silkworms, which is very simple in its process. One of the 
drawbacks in starting this industry is that a return cannot be 
obtained for five years from the plantiog of the trees, hut the 
same objection applies to all fruit trees, vines, Ac. The necessary 
attention to the cultivation of these silkworms is required late in 
the spring, a time most available for farmers. They have nothing 
to do but plant the trees, produce the cocoons, and sell them to 
the manufacturers, they performing the rest of silk manipulation. 
To cultivate the silkworms up to the production of the cocoons 
will last only five weeks. One person can easily attend to the 
worms of an ounce of eggs, which will produce about 1001b. of 
cocoons. If required for breeding purposes loz. of eggs would 
reproduce 70oz. The price of eggs would vary in accordance to 
the demand, bat I read in the English journal, Land and Water, 
of 12th January, 1887, where Captain Mason stated that silkworm 
eggs were worth in Europe from 15s. to £2 per oz. if produced 
in a healthy country. Trusting the importance of this question 
will be duly considered, and the attention of the farmers drawn 
to it, and that the Government will provide facilities for this and 
other industries, not only to make the country self-supporting, but 
to carry her head proudly as one of the groat exporting countries 
of the world. 
Yours, etc., 
LEONARD POZZI, 
40 Johnston-street, Fitzroy. 
