52 



In the fifth age the worms should have new leaves as 

 often as the old ones are consumed, until they are observ- 

 ed to creep on the leaves without eating. At night they 

 should have a double portion. 



PREPARATIONS FOR THE COCOONS. 



Previous to the rising of the worms, some little arches 

 or cabins should have been prepared of brushwood or 

 broom corn, by setting their branches with their top 

 spread, pressing against the bottom of the upper shelf to 

 hold them in their position. The worms will readily find 

 and climb these little trees and spin their cocoons in 

 them; the worms will be three or four days spinning 

 their cocoons,* and they will all generally be finished in 

 eight days. The brush may then be taken down, the 

 cocoons taken off, cleared of the loose tow and prepared 

 for reeling. I have found that the branches of the oak, 



"* Dr Pascalis of New York, a gentleman of great literary reputa- 

 tion and highly scientific attainments, has by the use of Electricity 

 been enabled to hasten the progress of silk insects ; and worms 

 reared by him, to which this powerful agent was applied, have spun 

 their cocoons in 27 days from the time they were hatched. I have 

 never made any experiments in this way myself, but doubt not 

 that this, as well as many other improvements will be introduced. 

 The same gentleman has also recommended in his valuable work, 

 the Silk Culturist, (No. 2, page 105) artificial mounting slides, upon 

 which the worms may mount and spin their cocoons. Those who 

 have curiosity to see these improvements, will find a drawing of 

 them in the work referred to. 



See the Cocoon, Fig. 7, Plate 1. 



