16 
An American Report on the advantages and 
progress of the Silk Culture in 1884. 
As the climate, sreial, and commercial conditions of the Australian 
Colonies are similar to those of the United States, I think the 
report will show the people of Victoria the necessity to follow 
aimiliar steps as adopted in the State?# 
The report includes a copy of “ an act to establish a state board of 
silk culture and to provide moneys for the expenses thereof,” which 
was passed on the loth March, 1SS3, enacting:— 1st. That there shall 
be established a state hoard of silk culture, consisting of nine 
persons appointed by the Governor from the State at large, five at 
least of whom shall be members of the Ladies’ Silk Culture Society 
of C ilifornia. 2nd. The board may receive, manage, and u3e 
donations or bequests for promoting silk culture in this state. The 
board shall establish, as soon as practicable, a filature or silk 
reeling school in San Francisco, Sacramento or Stockton, wherein 
frer instruction shall be given in silk reeling. 3rd The secretary, 
in addition to peiorming such official duties as the hoard may 
direct, shall collect statistics and other information showing the 
condition and progress of sericulture throughout the state ; corres¬ 
pond with various societies and individuals, both at home and 
abroad, who are engaged in the promotion of silk cnlture, and shall 
prepare a full report thereof, to be made to the hoard annually for 
their publication ; and shall receive for a’l such services a salary not 
to exceed 100 dollar-per month 4th. The board shall, bienially, 
i.e. the month of January, report to the Legislature a detailed 
statement of its wo-k. The report so made shall, under the 
direction of the controller, ha printed in pamphlet form, not to 
exceed 50 printel pages, and not to exceed 2000 copies thereof, to be 
didributed as th * board may direct All printing required to be 
done by the board for their official use, slant 1 be done ny the state 
printer. o:H. There is hereby appropriated for the use of the 
state board of silk culture, as set torth in this act, out of any 
money * in the state treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of 
5000 dollars for the year commencing the 1st of April, 1883 ; and 
2.500 dollars for the year commencing the 1 «t of April, 1331 ; and the 
state controller will draw his warrants upon the state treasurer in 
favor of the treasurer of the board, as such officer, for the sai l sums, 
or any part there if, when they become available, upon the proper 
demand of the said hoard. 
Between California and Victoria there is. a singular similarity as 
to the climate and other conditions, and thus the instructive sketch 
which begins the report is of special interest to our readers, where 
the secretary says the silk industry of California is still in its 
infancy. Enough, however, has been done to show that there are 
millions of dollars in it fur those who will intelligently and patiently 
prosecute. European silk culturists who have made California their 
home are enthusiastic in respect to our soil and climate. They find 
our conditions for silk culture preferable to Italy or France. Our 
freedom from thunderstorms is highly favorable to the growth and 
health of the silk worm. There are critical periods in the life of this 
wonderful insect, when a violent thunderstorm will destroy millions 
