ENTRANCE OF THE SILK WORMS 



IN THE COCOON ROOM. 



NONG-CHOU, 



The floor of the cocoon room must be boarded with 

 planks of the fir tree, six feet long, and three feet wide. A 

 frame, pierced with large holes, must be constructed of the 

 thin bamboo from which arrows are made. In these holes 

 some reeds must be inserted ; then long and large bamboo 

 branches, stripped of their leaves, must be crossed above. 

 The cocoon room must be covered with a frame work of 

 woven reeds. 



The silk worms will then have a place, where they can 

 establish themselves in safety without fear of falling. When 

 the interior of the cocoon room is well arranged, when it 

 affords the necessary depth and proper security, and the 

 frame presents no interval, the silk worms must be succes- 

 sively spread over it. At first, the frame must be a little in- 

 clined, until the worms are emptied of excremental matter, 

 afterwards they must be moderately warmed with a small 

 brasier, or pan of live coals. When they have begun to 

 enclose themselves in their cocoon, (that is to say : when 

 their cocoon will have formed a light net work,) the heat 

 must be increased by degrees. They must not stop in the 

 middle of their work ; if the temperature be a little too 

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