SILK CULTURE. 313 



montli iu this m ay, aud thus the hatching season be prolougcd, or a se- 

 lection made of the best moiitlis lor feeding. 



The number of ess^ laid by one moth is stated to be about oOO, and 

 an ounce will hatch about 4:6,000 worms. From an ounce to an ounce 

 and a half would be required for an acre of mulberries, but care should 

 always-^e observed to prevent overstocking. It may well be called 

 the universal vice of all farmers, audit was a prominent one among the 

 silk-culturists of India. 



3. Hatching. — The eggs should be kept at the temperature of 40^ 

 until the mulberries are putting forth their leaves. They may then be 

 brought into the feeding-room, at a temperature of about 75^, which 

 should be gradually increased about 8^ until the eggs are hatched. 

 The air of the room should be occasionally moistened by sprinkling the 

 floor, in order that the worm may better free itself from the shell of the 



Q,gg. 



4. Feeding.— Tho, duration of the life of the silk-worm varies a good 

 deal, according to the warmth of the weather, health, and the variety, 

 and ranges from thirty-seven to fifty days. The feeding season is about 

 thirty-five days. During this period, and at intervals of about six to 

 eight days, the worm molts, that is, sheds its skin. As this time is 

 regarded as critical, care must be taken not to disturb the worm in any 

 way, not even by feeding. Hence, the first step to be taken is to sepa- 

 rate each day's hatching, so that those together may be molting at the 

 same time. The best way to do this is to spread over the eggs a net 

 made of mosquito-bar material, and tender young leaves of the mul- 

 berry placed upon it. The young worms will pass through it to feed on 

 the leaves. At the end of each day the net may be removed, and 

 another one, in like manner, spread over the eggs. When it may be 

 necessary to handle some of the worms, the easiest way is to use a small 

 camel-hair paint-brush. 



The number of feedings during the twenty-four hours, as practiced, is 

 different in different countries. But here there are two principal feed- 

 ings, at about 5 o'clock a. m. and 10 o'clock p. m. Other feedings may 

 be given between these if made necessary fiom any cause. At every 

 feeding a net should be spread over the worms and the fresh leaves put 

 upon it, as this mode enables the room to be kept clean easily. The 

 excrement of the worms passes through it, and when they have ascended 

 through the net to the fresh leaves, the remains below it may be swept 

 away without disturbing the worms. 



The amount of leaves to be given each day is as follows : before the 

 first molting about 15 pounds for every 50,000 worms 5 between the 

 first and second moltings about 30 pounds; between the second and 

 third, 60 pounds ; between the third and fourth, 140 pounds; between the 

 fourth and fifth, 300 pounds ; and during the fifth the same amount, 

 making altogether 5,070 pounds, about the yield of an acre of mul- 

 berries. 



As the worms increase iu size they should be separated. At first they 

 are fed in shallow trays or on shelves, which they will not leave. But 

 as they increase in size they become too much crowded. The net is em- 

 ployed to effect this separation, by removing it when about half the 

 worms have passed through it to the fresh leaves. Another net, with 

 fresh leaves, is then to be placed on the remaining portion. Nets with 

 large meshes must be used when the worms have so much increased in 

 size as to go through them wath difficulty. 



When the feeding is with the pruned branches the nets may be dis- 



