CONSTRUCTION 



OF THE 



SILK WORMS' APARTMENT. 



In the Book of Rites, (written by Confucius, in the fifth 

 century before Christ,) it is observed : 



" The Emperor and his vassals were obligated to keep a 

 plantation of mulberry trees, belonging to the State, and a 

 nursery for silk worms. It was established near a river or 

 brook of running water ; its height was about eleven cubits, 

 and surrounded by a hedge of thorny shrubs." 



SAME WORK. 



Lots were drawn by the ladies of the three palaces, and 

 the noble-women who were pure, and surrounded with hap- 

 py omens, thus chosen, were sent to the nursery, to feed the 

 silk worms, and occupy themselves with all the care of their 

 raising. 



THSI-MIN-YAO-CHOU. 



The windows in the four fronts of the building must be 

 opened, and paper pasted on them, to protect the worms 

 from the exterior air. In the interior of the silk room fires 

 must be lighted at the four angles. 



