124 THE CULTURE 

 and the fifth age from its fourth moult till 

 it is ready to fpin. The whole five ages 

 together comprehend the fpace of Rvq or 

 fix weeks, more or lefs, according to the 

 coldnefs or warmth of the cfimate. 



The filkworms had juft began the firft 

 of thefe ages, being nevv'ly hatched and dif- 

 tributed into their nurfery-drawers, when 

 I left them m order to fhew the method of 

 getting food for them, and to give you a 

 general defciiption of their four moultings ; 

 I now refume the management of them at 

 this firfi: age. 



They begin to eat as foon as they come 

 out of the egg, and immediately fix them- 

 felves on the mulberry leaves, which are 

 thrown upon them ; and from this time, 

 until they become ready to fpin, they con- 

 tinue almoft conftantly eating, except at 

 - night and during the time of their moult- 

 ings. Now, as they are placed in drawers 

 large enough to admit of their increafe of 

 fize until they arrive at their firft moult, 

 you will have no occafion to touch them 

 nntil they have pafs'd it, and will have 

 little more to do than to feed them regu- 

 larly, by ftrowing the tender fliced leaves 

 of the mulberry over them, and to give 



theru 



