HOME-GROWN SILKWORM-GUT 213 



the wind is blowing, so that the scent may be carried 

 farthest and be most likely to attract a mate. If 

 your attempt is successful, the evidence usually will 

 be found in the presence of the male in the morn- 

 ing. 



The fertile female moth should be placed in a 

 pasteboard box with a cover, such as a shoe box, 

 where it will " get busy " and plaster every avail- 

 able place with eggs, at the same time battering its 

 beautiful wings pitifully. As soon as all the eggs 

 of a moth have been deposited, on the sides, bottom, 

 and cover of the box, with a sharp knife remove 

 them on a little bit of the paper, being very care- 

 ful not to crack the hard, shiny shells, as they will 

 thus be spoiled. Put the eggs, thus removed, into 

 tight tin-boxes or glass jars (Mason jars), and put 

 the covers on tightly unless you wish to find wander- 

 ing baby caterpillars, looking for " something good," 

 scattering over the neighborhood. At all times, but 

 especially when they are small, should tight recep- 

 tacles for your worms be supplied, as they will go 

 through a pin-hole, with several feet to spare in 

 every direction, for they are great roamers. 



The hatching period may be as short as seven days, 

 but usually is ten days, or even more if the weather 

 is cool. Shortly before hatching, the eggs become 

 quite dark in color; then the little " darkies " eat a 

 hole and crawl out, soon looking too large ever to 

 have been able to get into so small a compass. 



