246 



AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



should be a free circulation of air, without exposing them to 

 moisture and the depredations of birds, rats, or mice. Chlo- 

 ride of lime is an excellent purifier for the cocoonery. 



When ready to spin, which may be known by their ceas- 

 ing to eat, raising their heads, and clambering about their 

 feeding boards, the worms may be supplied with poplar or 

 other branches ; or wisps of straw tied at the upper end, and 

 spread at the bottom, for the worm to crawl upon and at- 

 tach his cocoon. The straw may be secured by bracing it 

 between two shelves. 



Breeding. After remaining about eight days, a sufficient 

 number of the best cocoons should be first selected for 

 breeding. These must be nearly equal in the quantities of 

 male and female worms, the first being generally indicated 

 by a pointed end, and somewhat drawn in at the middle ; 

 while the latter is nearly alike at either end. In about 

 fourteen days the millers come forth and couple. After a 

 connection of twelve hours, throw away the males, unless 

 there is a deficiency, when they may be retained for further 

 use ; but the progeny is not generally so strong as when the 

 male is used but once. Soon after, the female voids a 

 brownish matter, when she is placed on a clean paper N or 

 muslin, and put away in a dark place, where she lays her 

 eggs and dies. 



From 100 to 120 pairs of millers will produce an ounce 

 of eggs. Each female lays from 300 to 500 eggs, averaging 

 about 350. An ounce of eggs contains about 40,000. If 

 well saved from good millers, and safely kept, they will 

 nearly all hatch and produce good worms. Our climate is 

 admirably adapted to the production of the silk- worm, as is 



shown by the fact, 

 that while an average 

 of 30 to 60 per cent, 

 of the whole worms 

 are lost in Europe, 

 from climate, food, 

 and irremediable dis- 

 ease, scarcely five per 

 cent, are lost in this 

 country, under care- 

 ful management, from 



Piedmontcse Reel. FIG. 59. the Same causes. 



Reeling. The cocoons may be reeled immediately after 

 they are formed, if convenient. If to be kept for any time, 



