Jo. 105.] 143 



After the second moulting, the leaves, when large crops are fed, 

 may be cut by running them twice through a common rotary hay or 

 straw cutter of Hovey's or those of a similar make. 



The worms will frequently heap together and become too thick, as 

 they increase in size. When they are fed, the leaves must be spread 

 and the space enlarged, or removed by leaves, or twigs of the mul- 

 bery, to spaces unoccupied. If they are permitted to be crowded, 

 disease is apt to follow, and the whole crop endangered. 



It will sometimes be observed, when the light falls more directly 

 on one side of the hurdle, that the worms will incline to leave that 

 side, and become crowded on the opposite, when the hurdle should 

 be turned around. 



Up to the last moulting, it is best to feed the worms entirely upon 

 the leaves of the Morus Multicaulis, after which the canton, or white 

 Italian should be used, if a full supply can be obtained. The 

 former being consumed with greater avidity, and the accumulation of 

 litter is consequently less. The Canton and Italian produces the 

 heaviest cocoon, while the Multicaulis yields a finer and stronger 

 fibre. In pursuing this course, the advantages of both are in some 

 degree secured. 



The worms should be removed from their litter immediately after 

 each moulting, and in their fourth age, the hurdles should be cleaned 

 a second time, and after the last moulting they should be removed 

 at least every second day. 



Where nets are not used in the last ages, the worms are changed 

 by laying over them the small branches of the mulbery. 



Recently branch feeding has been introduced with some success, 

 and with great economy of time in the last ages of the worms. Care 

 should be taken to lay the branches as evenly as possible, especially 

 when it is designed to use twine hurdles, otherwise it will be difficult 

 for the worms to ascend through the netting. 



When the worms are about to spin, they present something of a 

 yellowish appearance ; they refuse to eat, and wander about in pur- 

 suit of a hiding place, and throw out fibres of silk upon the leaves. 

 The hurdles should now be thoroughly cleaned for the last time, and 

 something prepared for them to form their cocoons in. Various plans 

 have been proposed for this purpose. The lath frames, before de- 

 scribed, I prefer. They are used by resting the back edge of the 

 frame upon the hurdle or tray, when the two meet in the double range. 



