SILK WORMS. 139 



below. As soon as the silk worms feel the heat, they work 

 industriously ; but if they are affected by the cold they will 

 work slowly. The frames must often be visited. As soon 

 as they are warm enough, the chafing-dishes must be re- 

 moved. If a cool air circulates above in the cocoon room, 

 (while the lower part is warm,) the silk will not be spoiled 

 by the dampness produced by the silk worms ; the silk 

 worms that die, will immediately fall, and the cocoons of 

 the other worms will not be injured by coming in contact 

 with them , the dung will not adhere to the cocoons, nor 

 produce any blemish. If the silk be impregnated with 

 dampness, it will be difficult to prepare it for the dye ; if 

 the cocoon be soiled, the silk will easily break ; if the 

 cocoon be defective, it will be good for nothing. 



The cocoon rooms furnished with stalks of dry plants, 

 are as advantageous as those we have just described. 



SAME WORK. 



There are some countries where the place for cocoons is 

 outside, (in the open air ;) but if in the evening the air be- 

 comes cold no silk worm can form its cocoon. When the 

 cocoon rooms are warmed, the silk will be fitter to receive 

 the dye ; besides it acquires lustre and whiteness. 



WOU-PEN-SIN-CHOU. 



The ground on which the cocoon rooms are established, 

 ought to be high and level. It must be well aired in the 

 interior. Small branches, or dry stalks of plants, must be 

 spread there in an equal manner ; afterwards the silk worms 

 must be distributed there, leaving a proper distance between 

 them ; if they are too near, they will create too much heat ; 



