162 THE SILK WORM. 



and a half to three and three quarters in length; 

 they were not the mammoth worm. I am in favor of 

 chopping the leaves, as the worms invariably fix up- 

 on the edge ; but I do not see any need of sorting, ex- 

 cept it be in the first, and perhaps the second age. 

 In the fourth and fifth ages, when the worms are 

 large and vigorous, there is no necessity even for 

 chopping the leaves, as the worms will readily devour 

 them. 



ASCENSION OF THE WORM. 



Branches of hickory or oak should be procured, 

 and the leaves withered in the sun, that they may be 

 ready when the worms cease to eat, and prepare to 

 ascend. These branches should either be suspended 

 over them, or placed on the back part of the shelves, 

 in such a manner that the worms may crawl upon 

 them without difficulty. When the branches are pla- 

 ced on the shelves green, the leaves contract while the 

 worms are spinning, and interfere with their labors. 

 Some worms will wander about, wasting their silk; 

 these should be placed upon the branches. In three 

 or four days after the last worms have ascended, 

 the cocoons may be gathered from the bushes. 



The only thing to be observed in gathering the co^ 

 coons is, not to press them too tightly in the hand, 

 but to give them a gentle rolling motion, by which 

 they will be easily and cleanly detached from the 

 leaves. When they are all gathered, they should not 



