152 THE SILK WORM. 



How different is this from the process in our own 

 country! Here, all that is necessary, is to bring the 

 eggs from the cellar, place them in a south window, 

 taking care that the sun does not shine upon them, 

 and they will hatch in a few days. 



The time for hatching is various, as are the cli- 

 mates of our widely extended country. In the Mid- 

 dle States, the first of May is the usual time, though 

 the matter must be governed by the putting forth of 

 the Mulberry leaf, In New England they are not 

 hatched until the latter part of May or first of June, 

 while in the South, April is the usual month. A very 

 good plan for hatching and feeding is to place the eggs 

 on the table, and place over them a paper pierced 

 full of holes, through which the worms can ascend 

 and fix on the small, tender leaves which are placed 

 on top of the paper. Some culturists peal off the 

 eggs from the paper before they hatch, but I do not 

 coincide with this plan. The worms require some- 

 thing to fasten their feet to, and when the eggs are 

 glued fast to the paper, they have the power of draw- 

 ing themselves from the egg shells. 



One thing should be particularly observed. The 

 worms which hatch on the first day, should be placed 

 to themselves; those hatched on the second, to them- 

 selves, fyc. By this means each lot will moult or shed 

 their skins about the same time, and be ready to spin 

 about the same time You are then not under the 

 necessity of feeding some while others are moulting. 



