SILKWORM RAISING AS A POPULAR PURSUIT. 



317 



MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY GATHERING COCOONS. 

 Ladders filled with newly spun cocoons are placed upon a table while one can 

 sit and enjoy removing the cocoons. Children seem to take great delight in assisting 

 in cocoon gathering. It is the winding up of the work so far as feeding the worms is 

 concerned. The basket contains a fine lot of firm cocoons. 



cial basis, but only for those who de- 

 sire to take it up as a pastime, in an 

 experimental way. It is an unusually 

 interesting pursuit and, if only as an 

 amusement, should appeal to all nature 

 lovers. 



In addition to what has already been 

 said concerning the life story of the do- 

 mestic silkworm of commerce, I would 



suggest that students in nature work 

 should be provided with an educational 

 nature study exhibit illustrative of the 

 silkworm in its different stages of de- 

 velopment from the egg state to the moth, 

 including products and food plant. 



The specimens should be of the very 

 best that can be obtained. Leaves should 

 be prepared so that they show up nicely 



..' si: 



>. 



w^t-r *>. 



i 



MOTHS EMERGING FROM THE COCOONS IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS. 

 Moths are now rapidly emerging. Some have already emerged while just the heads 

 of others are peeping out. It takes less than a minute for the little prisoner to make 

 its escape, nature having provided a liquid which the moth throws against the prison 

 wall softening the silken threads and enabling it to come out easily. 



