128 ON REARING 



room, great attention ought to be paid to keep it at the cor- 

 responding temperature for each one of those four periods. 

 The degree of heat ought not to be constantly the same. 

 From the time they are hatched, until their second sleep, 

 (moulting,) the silk worms require a moderate heat. The 

 matron of the silk worms, (the person who takes care of 

 them,) ought to wear a single garment, (that is to say : not 

 double.) She must regulate the temperature of the silk 

 room, according to the sensation of cold and heat she feels. 



If she feels cold, she necessarily will judge that the silk 

 worms are cold, and the fire must then be increased ; if she 

 feels warm, she will conclude from it, that the silk worms 

 are too warm, and the fire must then be suitably diminished. 



When the silk worms are all asleep, if the sky be clear and 

 brilliant, between ten and two o'clock the windows must be 

 openedj to introduce air and light in the apartment. If the 

 wind be southerly, the windows to the North must be open- 

 ed ; if northerly, the windows on the South side must be 

 opened. The air which enters from a side opposite to the 

 direction of the wind cannot injure the silk worms. 



When the silk worms have recovered from their great 

 moulting, (the third moulting,) three repasts must be given 

 them, then the paper that covers the windows must be cut 

 with a pair of scissors, to allow the air and light to penetrate 

 into the apartment. The silk worms will not be disturbed 

 or incommoded. 



After the great moulting, when the windows have been 

 opened, and the paper cut from the windows, if the exterior 

 air is too warm, an unglazed earthen vessel must be placed 

 at the entrance of the door, in which the water must be 

 often renewed, in order that the air may be refreshed in its 

 passage. If the wind raises, if it should rain, or if the night 

 becomes cold, the windows must be closed immediately. 



