118 ON REARING 



worms, the greatest attention must be paid to see that it be 

 suitable and possesses all the proper qualities. The silk 

 worms like not leaves saturated with rain or dew ; if they 

 eat of them the greatest number immediately fall sick. 



SAME WORK. 



When the silk worms recover from their great moulting, 

 (their third moulting,) the heat of the rooms must be dimin- 

 ished when it incommodes them. At that time frequent 

 meals must be given them. If a south wind blow, the 

 window blinds must be let down, and the straw mats of the 

 doors closed. At that moment they must be transported to 

 other hurdles. When the silk worms are spread on the 

 hurdles, the distance of one finger must be left between 

 each one. Then the small green peas, which were reserved 

 from the month of January, must be taken, and soaked in 

 a small quantity of water, until they germinate : afterwards 

 they must be dried in the sun, and reduced to powder. 



The clean rice, which was also laid by in the month of 

 January, can be employed for the same use, after having 

 been boiled by steam, and reduced to flour. At the fourth 

 feeding, that flour must be spread in an uniform manner, 

 upon mulberry leaves. It will refresh the silk worms, and 

 dissipate the internal heat they feel at that period of their 

 age, and which is a mortal poison to them. The silk they 

 afterwards produce, is more abundant, easier to reel, and, 

 besides, it is stronger and more brilliant. 



If there be but a small quantity of fresh leaves, the leaves 

 which were cropped the preceding Autumn must be taken, 

 pounded again and reduced to powder. The new leaves 

 must be lightly moistened, and the powdered leaves spread 



