[ 175 ] {^a 



the air; the ventilators, .and the use of the tbermometer and hygrome- 

 ter are, in this change of litter, more essential than on any former 

 change.** 



Ninth day of the fifth age. 

 fTlilrty -first of the rearing of the silkworm. ) 



"Die silkworms this day need 495 pounds of leaves, which must be 

 ^iistributed as it may be wanted. 



The yellow hue of the silkworms grows deeper, their backs shine 

 more, and, in some of them, the rings a.ssume a golden appearance. 

 I'he muzzle is become of a brighter red than it was in the beginning. 



From time to time, a gentle fire should be lighted, particularly in 

 the night; twice a da}^ the fumigiting bottle should be passed through 

 'ho laboiatory; the ventilators should never be shut when the fire is 

 iigbted, nor indeed at ail, that the air may be renewed entirely. 



Although the silkworms reared according to the methods described, 

 ?iave been exposed to every variation of seasons, and to many acci- 

 dents that might have proved injurious to them, they have still been 

 found to preserve their full health and vigor. 



It has already been said, that, should it be impossible, from the heat 

 of the season, to keep the temperature at the degree fixed, it must be 

 as nearly kept as may be possible, by using all means of cooling the 

 air, and causing a free circulation in the laboratory. The preserva- 

 tion of the proper temperature of the apartment, at this stage of the 

 worm, cannot be too seriously impressed upon the cultivator. If sud- 

 den and great heat in the weather should take place, as often happens 

 at this time, serious loss may 'be suffered without proper precautions. 

 Theincrtased heat to \niich the worms are exposed, causes them to 

 eease eating, to leavetheirfeedingshelves,andto wanderaboutthe room 

 in order to find corners and places to form their cocoons, before the silk 

 fluid has been fully elaborated or matured; thus defeating, in a great mea- 

 sure, all the care previously bestowed upon tiiem. To guard against a 

 .sudden heat in the weather, the window shudders must be closed while 

 the sun is beating on them, the ventilators in the ceiling, or other 

 parts of the room, kept open, and, if possible, tubs of ice should be 

 brought into the apartment, until the thermometer .shows a diminution 

 o'f temperature to the proper degree. The windows mu.st also be- 

 opened every evening until sunrise next morning, and water sprink- 

 ]ed on the floor to promote evaporation, and, consequently, a freshness 

 inlhe air. Under the head of the diseases of silkworms, it will be 

 seen that great heat in the weather, at this stage, will even kill the 

 •worms. The eflTeets described above, of a sudden increase of heat in 

 the weather, which continued three days, were seen exemplified last 

 summer, upon the worms in a large establishment, by the writer. 



* It must be hcrne in mind, that the directions of Mr. Dandolo, constantly refer to 

 a large laboratory, in wl-.ich worm;;, the produce of five ounces of eggs, are rearing 

 Wlieii the air of \\\o apartment is sufficiently pure, and the temperature properly 

 regulated by the tliermometer, there will be iio necessity for fires, iiiiless.in damp 

 weather, nor for fumigations. 



