OF SILK. 109 



the tree, for they are good as long as they 

 remain green and firm. 



Though your general method of gather- 

 ing the leaves may be as has been defcrib- 

 ed, yet, if the weather tends to be rainy, 

 you muft provide at leafl two days food, 

 or in proportion as you forefee the diificul- 

 ty of gathering, which if poiTibie fliould 

 not be in wet weather, efpecially while the 

 moifture is ad:ually upon the leaves : you 

 may keep the leaves tolerably well for two 

 or three days in a cool place, but you mufl 

 take great care that they do not heat and 

 grow mouldy, which would greatly injure 

 your worms. If the leaves, therefore, any 

 way tend to this Hate, you mufl often 

 turn, and give them air; fpreading 

 and placing them where there is a current 

 of air, or on fome of the hurdles of thofe 

 flands which may happen not yet to be 

 employed. 



Notwithftanding the foregoing caution, 

 it may often happen, that on the very 

 morning when the gatherers go out, and 

 when you have no provihon for that day, 

 but what they fliaii briqg in, there fhall 

 fall rain, and wet the leaves : in this cafe 

 you are under a neceflity of having the leaves 



gathered ; 



