B SILK CULTURE. 



The direct rays of the sun must be avoided, as it will kill the worms. 

 A direct current of air on them is hurtful, but thorough ventilation is neces- 

 sary, A uniform temperature of 75° is required for the feeding room. It 

 is not desirable to get it above 80°. Sudden changes from warm to cold or 

 vice-versa should be avoided. The air should be kept pure. If the tem- 

 perature falls below 70° artificial heat must be used. If the weather is very 

 hot and dry, sprinkling or mopping the floor two or three times a day will 

 prevent the leaves drying too rapidly and will afford all the necessary mois- 

 ture the worms require. Be careful in feeding not to allow any other leaves 

 to be mixed with the mulberry, and see that the leaves are clean. A peach 

 leaf has been known to kill the worms eating it. Tobacco in any shape is 

 poison to them. Great care must be taken at all times to prevent birds, 

 ants and insects of all kinds, gaining access to the worms. Rats and mice 

 are always watching for a chance to get at them, all through their existence, 

 and are almost as great an enemy as the silk worm has. The worm when 

 ready to spin will leave its food and search for a place to deposit its silk — 

 climbing as high as it can to do so. Small branches or twigs may be tied 

 together and placed ready for the worms. (See " Spinning.") When ready 

 to spin, they must not be disturbed or handled if it can possibly be avoided. 

 Should two or more of them commence spinning together, making what is 

 called a double cocoon, one of them should be gently removed. The double 

 cocoon cannot be reeled ; though the moths from them are perfectly good 

 for laying purposes. 



SPINNING. 



Within 8 to 10 days after the last molt the worms begin to lose their 

 appetite, become restless and commence throwing out silk. The twigs, etc., 

 should now be prepared for them. Set branches 2 or 3 feet long up in the 

 arches in the trays, about i foot apart at the bottoms. Interlace the twigs 

 with broom corn, hemlock or other well dried brush Paper cones can also 

 be made and placed among the branches and in the netting. Keep the 

 temperature of the room now at, or about 80°, as the silk flows from the 

 worm much more freely in a warm atmosphere. The worms will climb into 

 the branches and commence spinning. Those that do not, must be still fed 

 often, but in small quantities to prevent waste, as some of them will quit 

 eating and wander away to spin every few minutes. Those that do not 

 commence spinning when the majority have done so, must be moved to 

 another tray, as the worms already mounted will discharge a soft excrement 

 before beginning to spin, which will stain the cocoons below them. In 2 

 or 3 days the spinning will be completed ; and in 6 or 7 days the chrysalis 

 will be formed. 



