138 ON REARING 



cold, they walk upon their silk and cease to spin. When 

 it comes to be reeled it will frequently break. In general, 

 one will be obliged to have the cocoons boiled, and silk 

 stuff made of it, because it is impossible to reel it from one 

 end to the other. 



THSI-MIN-YAO-CHOU. 



When the silk worms have arrived at the age of maturity, 

 if it happens to rain, it will injure the cocoons ; it will be 

 better also to establish the cocoon rooms in the interior of 

 the nursery. 



OBSERVATION. 



The round and oblong cocoons rooms must be placed 

 outside. 



A parcel of small dry branches must be laid upon the 

 frames, and the silk worms spread on them. When that 

 operation is performed, they must be again covered over 

 with a bed of dry branches. One stage, or story, can sup- 

 port ten large frames. 



ANOTHER METHOD. 



In place of small dry branches, the stalks of plants may 

 be used, on which the silk w r orms must be spread. The 

 frames must be suspended, between wooden pillars, with 

 cords, or hooked sticks. Several may be arranged one 

 above another. When the frames are suspended, they must 

 be moderately warmed by means of chafing-dishes placed 



c 



v . . 



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