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SILKWORMS. 101 



which may have been experienced in the Spring, and to 

 supply the wants of the year. In the Autumn there are 

 many fine days ; consequently, the raising at that time pro- 

 mises more certain success, than that of the Spring. But 

 now-a-days we meet with people who say : the Autumnal 

 silk worms can no longer find tender leaves. We see that 

 they are totally ignorant of the powerful reasons which may 

 oblige them to attempt a rearing in Autumn, from the neces- 

 sity of sometimes repairing the losses which have been 

 experienced, and of supplying the wants of the year. When 

 the silk worms are raised in the Summer, or Autumn, care 

 must be taken to preserve them from the gnats and flies." 



SAME WORK. 



After the period called Thsing-ming, (after the 5th of 

 April,) the eggs commence to change. At first they assume 

 an uniform colour, and swell up; afterwards they grow 

 round and present a pointed side. Their centre resembles 

 the colour of willow trees, in the beginning of Spring. At 

 last they are 'transformed into worms, which have the ap- 

 pearance of small black ants. The worms which fold 

 themselves in a circular manner, and resemble a mountain 

 that is seen at a distance, are those which must absolutely 

 be preserved ; but those with flat heads, which are dry, and 

 appear as if they were burnt, as well as those of a sky-blue, 

 and yellow, or flesh color, must not be raised. 



SAME WORK. 



Some persons water the eggs with salt water. That 

 operation is called sien-tsan^ that is to say, baths of the silk 



