The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1866-03-24
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
MARCH 24.
Introduction of STul-vorm~.

introduction of Sill<-W ornlS.
We ara very glad to learn that the efforts
made by Mons. DENoYER>, French Commissioner
and Consul at this port 10 introduce silk-wcrms
have proved successful. He has been endeayor-
ing for some months to procure the eggs or
seeds, and only succeeded in doing 50 by a late
arrival. The eggs were obtained from Mr.. Pre-
vost, of San Jose, California, and are the pure
japanese breed, which are supposed 10 be the
kind best adapted 70 our islands, owing TO the
similarity of location and climate. Mons. Deuoy-
ers has distributed them into four colonies-one
of which is at Eva, another at the Agricultural
Nursery, a third is in charge of Mr.. Doiron, and
the fourth be retains himself. All the colonies
are doing finely, and promise we'll. Mulberry
trees have been planted by the various parties
referred to, in anticipation of the arrival of the
little strangers, and in a few weeks We hope to
announce that they are fairly at work in their
new sphere. His Excellency the Consul deserves
credit for his efforts in the matter, and we trust
the result will prove successful in introducing a
new and valuable branch of industry into the
kingdom.
Ii NAV not be generally known to our readers
that "A strange disease, which has reappeared
several times during the last century among
he silk-worms of France, has. since 1860,
recommended its ravages. In consequence of
which, the silk breeders express considerable
alarm. This disease also appears occasionally
in China, and shows itself Just as the worm is
about to cocoon, SO that the breeder has the
trouble of all his work of rearing for nothing.
The price of Italian and French raw silk has
risen in London during the last eight months
about One-third. Best Italian is now worth in
London from ten to twelve dollars per pound.
Best Japan silk five to six dollars, and best
Chinese about eight dollars. From this it will
be seen that it is valuable and scarce, and that
there is every inducement to enter into its Gull
tivation.
In conversation with Mr.. Van Reed, who
lately touched at this port on his way to Japan,
he stated that from his Observations he should
judge silk-breeding might prove very success
full here, the climate being SO very much like
that of Japan. Ours is rather warmer, and on
that account some elevated localities, like Kula
on Maui, or Waimea, Hawaii, may prove to be
better than the lower belts. From Mr.. Van
Reeds account, we should judge the silk busi-
ness to be one of the pleasantest vacations there
are. The absence Of thunder storms. he thought,
would make it less hazardous here than in other
countries, where severe storms often prove fatal
to the worms. At all events, we trust that this
new branch Of business may have Il fair trial,
and receive every encouragement from those who
can speed it on.
Respecting the disease in France, 4 late Lon
don paper says:
Repeated experiments seem to prove that the only seed
which can he trusted is that from Japan, and the snk-breeders.
therefore. pray the French Government to aid them by bringing
home their supplies in men-of-war. 1t seems probable that this
request VIII be granted, and also that the evil which has spread
through all silk growing districts, except Japan, Is not tempo
rary, but may last as long as the potato rot or the OHdum. The
real obstacles to silk growing seem to be the slow growth of the
mulberry. The worms will live and work in most countries. but
they want mulberry leaves, and nobody is willing to plant
orchards which will not begin to bear for five and twenty years.
1t would be no matter of surprise if silk in the next generation
became as costly as under the Roman empire, and a silk dress
as complete a test of wealth as it was two hundred years ago
If this be so, it affords an additional reason
why extra efforts should at once be made to es-
tablish silk-growins here as Il permanent bust
ness, and to induce persons to engage extensively
in it. With sugar, rice, wool, cotton and silk
as the leading industries of our islands and OF
the population, we shall always find a ready
market for all we may raise Of each staple-be
it tens of millions of pounds.