8 HINTS ON SILKWOHM-IIEAHING IN THE PtTNJAB. 



The seed is placed inside the incubators in which are special 

 arrangements for heating and regulating the temperature. During 

 the incubation period the temperature should be kept constant day 

 and night as follows : 



For the first four days . . . 65F. 



For the next four days ... 70F. 



% 



then till the hatchings are over 77 F. Persons wishing to buy either 

 of these incubators should apply to the Director of Agriculture and 

 Industries, Punjab. 



(3) TURNING OF EGGS DURING INCUBATION. 



During incubation the eggs should be turned over three or 

 four times each day with a feather. This will render the hatchings 

 uniform. Care should be taken never to touch the eggs with the fingers. 



ofrearfng 11 ^ Rearing rooms should be prepared in the following 



rooms. manner i 



(1) REARING ROOM. 



After the eggs havj been laid out for hatching preparations 

 should be made for the reception of the worms They are reared in- 

 doors, and throughout their existence must be protected from sun, 

 wind and rain. No specially elaborate erections or houses are required 

 for them : the ordinary mud walled dwelling rooms or cattle sheds are 

 suitable for all domestic rearings. Part of the rearing room can be 

 used by the family for sleeping or other household purposes as well. 

 The room selected for housing the worms should have ample means of 

 ventilation. There should be a door facing north or south and one or 

 two windows or ventilators, which should be kept open. 



(2) CONSTRUCTION OF RACKS. 



In order to rear a maximum number of worms within a 

 limited cubic space it is necessary to construct racks (plate I, fig. 1) 

 at one end of the room. To accommodate the worms produced by one 

 ounce of seed two racks of the following- dimensions should be con- 

 structed. Make a frame work 8' x 4' by placing upright on the floor 

 four thick pieces of wood or bamboo, 8 feet high, and make five rows 

 on it by tying cross-bars of thick branches or bamboos. The first 

 row should be two feet above the ground and the distance between 

 the other rows should be 1J feet. Pieces of matting 8' x 4 r should be 

 spread on each row and the worms should be reared on these. 



Rearing the worms on the floor is most insanitary for it results 

 in : 



(t N overcrowding of the worms ; 

 (it) inadequate ventilation ; 

 (Hi) loss of crop by rats, ants and lizzards. 

 The construction of racks should be always insisted upon. 



