SII^K WORMS. 131 



every time they are removed ; and those which later arrive 

 at maturity, will only produce small and ill supplied cocoons. 



The dung of the silk worms must be frequently removed. 

 If it be not carried away, they become heated. The heat 

 produces fermentation, and causes a putrid effluvia. After- 

 wards a large number of silk worms turn white and die. 



Whenever the silk worms are removed they must be dis- 

 tributed upon the frames in such a manner as to leave some 

 space between them ; if they are placed too near together, 

 the strongest will feed at the expense of the weakest. It is 

 necessary to make the tour of the frames often, and to visit 

 them with care. Moreover, if the air does not circulate- 

 freely in the apartment, and the door be suddenly opened, a 

 fatal wind may penetrate, and a great number, consequent- 

 ly, turn red and die. When the silk worms are distributed 

 upon the frames, it ought to be done in a tender manner ; 

 they must not be thrown down, or they will be wounded by 

 striking against each other. The health of a great number 

 of silk worms will suffer, and afterwards they will become 

 what are called lai-lao-ong ; that is to say : lazy old men. 

 They leave a red chrysalis. 



NONG-SANG-YAO-TCHI, 



Two frames must be placed below the one where the 

 newly hatched silk worms are. When the sun has risen 

 above the horizon, a frame must be taken away and dried 

 until the setting of the sun. It must then be replaced un- 

 der the frame where the silk worms are. The next day 

 remove a frame again from beneath, expose it to the rays of 

 the sun and then replace it, as at first. In that manner the 

 silk worms will naturally receive a mild and temperate heat. 



