[ 175 ] 64 



for, if they do not find the leaves, they get out of the boxes. Few 

 worms appear the first day; and if the number of them is very in- 

 consideraljlc, they should be tlirown away, because, when mixed with 

 the later worms, they would grow faster, and become mature so much 

 sooner that they would only be troublesome. 



The worms which may have been managed according to the method 

 just stated, will always be healthy and strong. They will never be 

 red nor black, but of a dark hazel color, or chestnut, which is the pro- 

 per color they should have. When the worms are red at their first 

 coming out, it is a sign the eggs have either been bad, or ill kept over 

 winter, or overheated: that is, too much forced, when laid to hatch. 

 Worms of this color are good for nothing, and should be thrown away, 

 since they will not produce cocoons. * 



To prevent the young leaves from drying, which they will do rapid- 

 ly, they must be put loose in clean stone jars, if convenient, covered, 

 and placed in a vault or cellar. A stock of leaves, at least for three 

 days, should always be in the house, to secure food in the event of 

 wet weather. 



The essential point is to cause the eggs to be hatched with the 

 greatest ease. If the success of this operation be not complete, the 

 worms will probably be subject to disease through their whole course 

 of life, as will be sliown. 



The appearance of the new hatched worms is that of a woolly sub- 

 stance, of a dark chestnut hue, in which is perceptible a general stir- 

 ring of minute animals, rearing up, and presenting a black and shining 

 speck or head. While the eggs are in the stove-room, they should 

 be stirred around with the spoon two or three times a day. This opera- 

 tion hastens their coming forth. When the temperature of the stove- 

 room is raised to 75°, it is advantageous to have two dishes, in which 

 water may be poured, so as to olfer a surface of nearly four inches 

 diameter. In four days there will have taken place an evaporation 

 of nearly twelve ounces of water; the moisture, which rises very 

 slowly, moderates the dryness which might occur in the stove-room. 

 Very dry air is not favorable to the developemcnt of silkworms. t 



A prudent cultivator has done all in his power, when, on observing 

 tlie season favorable, and the bud oi the mulberry shoots in a proper 

 degree of forwardness, he has put the eggs into the stove-room. Should 

 the weather suddenly change, as it did in Italy in the year 1814, it 

 is then of great use to have the power of backening tlic hatching of 

 the eggs, without injuring tlie worms, and to prolong their two first 

 stages by a few days. To obtain this, the only method is^ after the 

 worms have been removed into the laboratory about five hours, to- 

 lower the temperature to 73° from 75°; four hours after, further to 

 lower it to 71°, and the following day to 68°, if necessary. 



* Stephenson: Trans. Soc. Arts. London, vol. 43. 



•j- In this pliicf it m;iy be proper to cuvition tlie cultivator aj^ainst exposing the. 

 worms to the smell of toliacco, which is a cimse of certain deatli to them. A number 

 was recently put in a box which had contained se.^-ars, and many of them died, althont^h 

 the bo\" was lined w'itli clean paper. No saiokin;^ should I)e permitted in the room in 

 which silkv, orm?? arc. 



