128 THE CULTURE 



the leaves which are contiguous to them ; 

 but if you fpread the worms too much, 

 they will not be able to eat all the leaves 

 you thi'ow over them, the inconveniency 

 of which I have mentioned j therefor^ al- 

 ways keep them as throng as they can lie 

 without being crouded upon one another. 



While they are very young, you muft, 

 in cold weather, keep them clofe and 

 warm, fhutting the drawers or boxes as 

 foon as you have fed them, and expoling 

 them as little as polTible to cold air 3 you 

 may for this end keep a blanket or fuch 

 like over your whole chefl of dravi^ers. 



But you mufl, on fine and warm days, 

 life them to the open air, according to 

 their age and vigour, pulling the draw- 

 ers in which they are kept about quar- 

 ter or half open in the middle of the 

 day, and for as long as you fliall judge 

 convenient -, and when you Ihut the draw- 

 ers, turn that fide which was out inmoll, 

 that when you air them next, the other 

 fide may have the benefit of it j for which 

 reafon the drawers fhould be made to go 

 in at either fide. Scarce any general rule 

 can be given for the time of thus airing 

 them J the climate, weather, and other fuch 



circum- 



