SILK CULTURE. 7 



(the meshes of which are too large) on this sprinkle some fresh, tender 

 mulberry leaves. The little worms will leave the eggs and immediately 

 commence eating, and from this time constant attention must be paid to re- 

 newing the leaves as often as may be required — and as the worms eat fast, 

 and the leaves dry rapidly, they need replenishing often. A large quantity 

 of food given at a time is not beneficial, but is a waste. Give the worms 

 what they require for the time and renew as often as they need it. 



There have been rules laid down for feeding at certain hours through 

 the day, but these are not to be depended on. The raiser can see when 

 fresh food is needed, and the worms will soon leave the food they do not 

 like. This is why so much attention is required — not that they must be 

 constantly watched, for unless a very large number is being raised, the 

 attendant can, provided they are not away too long at a time, attend to 

 other duties. During the last few days before spinning (5th age) more con- 

 stant attention is required, as the worms eat enormously. All litter and 

 excrement must be often removed, and the attendant must be on the watch 

 for sick and diseased worms, which must be immediately removed — and food 

 must be on hand in large quantities. The greatest care must be taken to 

 have the worms of the same ages kept together on the trays, so that they 

 will molt at the same time ; thus saving much time. They grow rapidly 

 after each molt, and must be separated when necessary to allow them plenty 

 of room. The worms eat most freely early in the morning and late at 

 night ; therefore furnish food abundantly between 5 and 6 o'clock in the 

 morning and about 11 o'clock at night. Leaves for the early morning 

 meal should be picked the day before, as they are apt to induce disease if 

 fed to the worms with the dew on them. When picked during a rain they 

 should be thoroughly dried before using them for food. Damp or wet leaves 

 should never be used, and dried up and withered or stale leaves the worms 

 will not eat — thus the leaves must be fresh picked from the trees as often as 

 possible. If the leaves have to be brought from a distance and cannot be 

 picked fresh every time the worms are fed, place the ends of the twigs or 

 stems in water — keep in a cool, shady place (a cool cellar is best) and renew 

 the water often. The smooth leaves are the best, as the worms do not like 

 the rough ones, though both kinds may be found on one tree. 



When changing in the mornings place the netting over, or on top of, 

 the leaves and worms in the trays — sprinkle fresh leaves on it, and the 

 worms will come up through the meshes to feed. When all are up, take 

 the netting carefully by the ends and place on another tray. The old dried 

 leaves and refuse should then be thrown away and the netting shaken clean 

 and aired for another day's changing The netting obviates the handling 

 of the worms almost entirely, which is hurtful to them. If the leaves are 

 given to the worms on the twigs or branches they keep fresh longer, besides 

 having a free circulation of air through them. 



