MODES OF MAKING SILK. 59 



Stoves are also provided in the corners of the apart- 

 ments, to preserve an uniform and equal temperature, or 

 coals are carried in a chafing dish from time to time 

 backwards and forwards through the rooms. 



In China the wants of the young worms are supplied 

 with unceasing attention : they are fed during the night 

 as well as the day. Forty times during the first twenty- 

 four hours they are fed, and thirty times during the sec- 

 ond day; but fewer and fewer still on the third day and 

 afterwards. 



These sagacious observers, from their long experience, 

 affirm, that as the growth of the silk-worms is accelerated 

 and success insured by the abundance of their food, so 

 also they affirm that the quicker the silk-worms are 

 brought to maturity, the greater is the quantity of silk 

 which they produce. If the silk-worms which are pro- 

 duced by each drachm in weight of eggs, are suffered to 

 linger either through cold or neglect and famine for 30 

 or 40 days before they begin their cocoons, the product 

 of silk will be but ten ounces. But if their maturity is 

 completed in 28 days, the product will be twenty ounces, 

 while the same quantity of silk-worms which in a warmer 

 temperature, and by being fully fed and well attended, 

 have completed their growth in the short time of twenty- 

 five days, will produce 25 ounces of silk. 



The Chinese are fully sensible of the importance of 

 preserving the most perfect degree of cleanliness in their 

 establishments, and are exceedingly careful on this head. 

 When the insect is prepared to spin, mats are provided, 

 nnd in the centre of each a leaf is affixed an inch in 

 width : this is wound round in a spiral form till the mat 

 is covered, a space being left between each circle of ori 

 inch, it having been found that less silk is wasted in tlfc 

 eceptacles of these dimensions, than where more space 

 s allowed; also at such periods they exclude the out- 

 vard air and light, believing the silk-worms spin their 

 ;ocoons more diligent in darkness. 



Seven days after the silk-worms have commenced 



