91 [ 175 3 



Oi 'J'HE REARING OP SILKWORMS UNTIL THE APPROACH OP THEIB 



IdATURITY. 



The worms have now approached the time when the)'^ prepare to 

 rise, and when they reject the food which they had lately so voracious- 

 ly devoured. 



First day of the fifth age. 



(Twenty-tlilrd of the rearing of the silkworm.) 



Since the preceding day, almost all the silkworms must have ac- 

 complished their fourth moulting, or casting of skin, and be already 

 roused. 



The laboratory should have uniformly 68° or 69^*^ of heat. The 

 silkworms proceeding from five ounces of eggs, until the termination 

 of their fifth age, should occupy 917 feet of trays, or 183 feet 5 inches 

 for each ounce of eggs. 



The silkworms proceeding from one ounce of eggs in the fifth age, 

 consume about 1,098 pounds of sorted, picked leaves, which makes 

 the quantity of leaves required by the five ounces to be 5,490 pounds 

 weight. 



After the fourth moulting, the food should consist of the full grown 

 leaves of the oldest trees: for the appetite of the worms is great, and 

 they require the strongest nourishment to strengthen them, and to pro- 

 mote their growth. Their last feed should be given late at night, or 

 just before going to bed, and as early as possible in the morning.* 

 To facilitate their removal, branches to which the leaves are attached, 

 may be given. 



As soon as the branches are loaded with worms, they should be 

 taken off, and put upon the little portable trays. If the silkworms of 

 one wicker tray are almost all roused, they will be sufficient to fill the 

 space of rather more than two wicker trays; and there should be form- 

 ed a space in the middle of the two wicker trays, of about half the 

 width of the tray. 



When five hundred and eight square feet are filled, the trays that 

 are left empty should be cleaned. The hurdles must be cleaned every 

 two days during the fifth age.t 



If, in cleaning, any worms should be found roused, by putting some 

 shoots or leaves, they may be taken off, like the others; should some 

 rouse after this, they may be taken up with the hand, and put with 

 the others; but if any remain Still in torpor, they must be cast away. 



The sheets of paper with the litter must be rolled up, as was done 

 in the former age, and poured into the basket prepared for this, which 

 is to be carried out at once. 



In observing the litter when it is removed into a dry place, should 

 sf>mf^ ronspd worms be found in it, they may be plaoed distinct from 



* Stephenson. 



4 Afyst'^rj pagfp 10;" 



