$3 C 175 j 



but also is apt, by thickening the litter in heaps, to ferment, anO 

 thereby cause disease. 



The worms should have their last meal this day, of seven pounds 

 and a half of leaves, which completes the feeding of the day. 



Should the removal of the litter be late in the day, so that the silk- 

 worms could not be given the three meals, that portion of the leaves 

 may be added to those of the following day. Two active, handy per- 

 sons, should take but one hour to remove and distribute the worms 

 upon J 74 feet of hurdles. 



As fast as the worms are lifted off, the litter should be carried out of 

 the laboratory, rolled up in the sheets of paper. When taken out, the 

 litter should be examined, in case any of the torpid worms may be re- 

 maining in it; and if this is done in any place sheltered from rain and 

 wind, far from injuring the worms, it will tend to rouse them sooner 

 than they would have roused in the laboratory, to which they must be 

 taken back, by offering them young shoots, to which they will fasten, 

 and thus be carried safely. 



The latest worms should be placed apart, ks their next moulting will 

 be a day later also; or, should it be desired to bring them on equallv 

 with the others, by giving them rather more space between them on 

 the hurdles, and putting them in the hottest part of the laboratory, this 

 may be managed. 



Now, as the worms begin to eat more, it is useful to employ a square 

 basket, with which twice the work may be done in feeding the worms, 

 compared to the usual method of holding the shoots and leaves in an 

 apron, and feeding the worms with one hand only. By means of this 

 basket, which may be suspended with a hook, and slide in a groove 

 along the edge of the wicker trays, the feeder may arrange and dis^ 

 tribute the food with both hands, and thus feed two trays of worms 

 at once, by standing on high steps or ladders. 



After two or three meals this day, there is a very sensible change in 

 the silkworms. They are much larger, their muzzle is grown longer, 

 and their color clearer. 



Second day of the third age. 

 (Eleventh of the rearing of the silkworm.) 



This day 90 pounds of picked leaves, chopped, will be needed. 



The two first meals the least copious, because, towards the close oi 

 the day, the silkworms grow voraciously hungry. 



The strips should be widened whenever they are fed, to allow thpoD. 

 room. 



Third day of the third age^ 



Twelfth of the rearing of the silkwoim. 



This day there should be given 97 pounds of picked leaves, chop- 

 ped, divided into four meal?? — the two first meals the most plenttfii^ 



