THE FARMER AT HOME. 



379 



vhere they are hatched ; but to breed them in Europe, and America, 

 hey must be sheltered from the inclemency of the weather, and care- 

 ully protected from every external injury. For this purpose, a room 

 3 chosen with a southern aspect, the windows of which are so well 

 rlazed as not to admit of the least air when it is cold. The walls are 

 .veil built, and the planks of the floor laid close, so as not to admit 

 he entrance of birds, mice, or even insects. In the middle of the 

 oom four pillars or posts are erected, and placed so as to form a pretty 

 arge square. Between these are diverse stories constructed with osier 

 aurdles ; and under each hurdle is a floor surrounded with an upright 

 oorder. These all hang upon pillars, in such a manner as to be placed 

 ^r taken down at pleasure. 



This is the mode of constructing a habitation for the silkworms 

 generally used by the most skillful breeders of these valuable insects 

 in European countries. Their food consists of mulberry leaves, of 

 which they must have a fresh supply every morning, and the remain- 

 der of the old leaves must also be carefully taken away, and every 

 thing must be kept very clean ; for nothing is so hurtful to them as 

 uncleanness and moisture. For this reason the leaves must be gath- 

 ered when dry, and kept in a dry place, if it be necessary to lay in a 

 store. If mulberry leaves cannot be obtained, the leaves of lettuce or 

 hollyhock will sustain the worms ; but they will not thrive so well 

 upon this diet ; their silk will neither be so abundant nor of so good a 

 quality. Although the judicious choice and careful management of 

 their diet, with a strict attention to cleanliness, be absolutely neces- 

 sary, there is yet another precaution of equal importance, which is, 

 to give them air, by opening the windows at such times as the sun 

 shines with the greatest heat and clearness. 



The silkworm is art insect not more remarkable for the precious 

 matter it furnishes for divers stufls, than for the many forms it assumes, 

 before and after its being enveloped in the rich cod or ball which it 

 weaves for itself. From a small egg, about the size of a pin's head, 

 which is its first state, it becomes a pretty big worm, or caterpillar, of 

 a whitish color, inclining to yellow. In this state it feeds on mul- 

 berry leaves, till, being come to maturity, it winds itself up in a silken 

 bag. or case, about the size and shape of a pigeon's egg ; and becomes 

 metamorphosed into an aurelia ; in this state it remains without any 

 signs of life, or motion ; till at length it awakes to become a butterfly, 

 after making itself a passage out of its silken sepulchre ; and, at last, 

 dying indeed, it prepares itself, by an egg which it casts, for a new 

 life ; which the warmth of the summer weather assists it in resum- 

 ing. 



As soon as the silkworm, or caterpillar, is arrived at the size and 

 strength necessary for beginning his cod, he makes his web ; for it is 

 thus they call that slight tissue, which is the beginning and ground 

 of this admirable work. This is his first day's employment. On the 



