55 



to give them a change of air, by transporting them into 

 another room. But this may not always be convenient. 

 It is with these animals, as with our species, easier to 

 prevent diseases than to cure them. If nothing better 

 can be done, the diseased worms must be thrown away. 

 The chloride of lime and soda have been used with good 

 effect in some nurseries to cleanse the air. 



Before the worms begin to mount and spin their co- 

 coons, they void themselves of their excrements, and they 

 generally do it on or near the edge of the board on which 

 they are placed. Those who have not strength enough 

 to cast off their excrements, die in the attempt, and in the 

 morning numbers of them are found dead. They should 

 be carefully taken up and thrown away. When many 

 are found in that condition, it is a sign that the litter is 

 fermenting and that a cleaning is necessary. 



It is possible that there may be diseases of the silk 

 worms peculiar to the climate. Experience will enlight- 

 en us on the subject. I have heard that ladies in one of 

 our Southern States have lost all their worms this year, 

 from the plague getting in among them. It is certain that 

 there are epidemic disorders by which whole nurseries 

 of silk worms are sometimes destroyed. But these are 

 of rare occurrence in our country ; and it is hoped that 

 they may be prevented by careful attention to the rules 

 prescribed, 



CURING THE COCOONS. 



Were it possible to wind off all the cocoons before the 

 insect naturally pierces them, it would be best to do it, 

 because the silk at that time winds off with greater ease 

 5* 



