158 THE SILK WORM* 



worm goes through its third age. In this age, those 

 worms proceeding from five ounces of eggs, have 

 consumed nearly three hundred pounds of leaves and 

 young shoots. 



" 16th day. On this day, thirty-seven and a half 

 pounds of leaves and young shoots will be needed, 

 coarsely chopped with a large blade. 



" 17th day. For this day will be wanted one 

 hundred and sixty-five pounds of sorted leaves, a 

 little cut. The two first meals ought to be the light- 

 est. 



"18th day. For this day will be needed two 

 hundred and twenty-five pounds of sorted leaves, a 

 little cut. The two first meals the most plentiful ; 

 the last to be about seventy-five pounds. 



"19th day. This day the distribution of the cut 

 leaves should be two hundred and fifty-five pounds ; 

 the three 'first meals of about seventy-five pounds 

 each the fourth of forty-five pounds only. 



" 20th day. No more than one hundred and 

 twenty-eight pounds of picked leaves will be need- 

 ed this day ; because the hunger of the worm dimin- 

 ishes much. The first meal should be most consid- 

 erable. 



"21st day. Thirty-five pounds of picked leaves, 

 are enough for this day. It is easy to find out when, 

 and in what quantities, the worms need most their 

 food. 



" 22A day. The worms rouse on this day, and ac- 



