HINTS ON SILKWORM-BEARING IN THE PUNJAB. 13 



(2) SPACING OF THE WORMS. 



Space is an important factor, in determining the outturn, and 

 a sufficient amount of it should be given to the worms throughout. 

 Rearers do not generally realise the importance of this : they grow large 

 quantities of worms which are allowed to remain crowded together. 

 The result of this is that the worms remain small and feeble and produce 

 a poor crop of inferior silk and not infrequently fall victims to disease. 



Worms which have ample room for development become strong 

 and healthy and spin large well covered cocoons. The space required 

 for the worms produced by one ounce of seed is as follows : 



First stage. Twenty square feet ; the worms should not be 

 allowed to come in contact with each other. 



Second stage. Forty square fe.et, 



Third stage. Eighty square feet. 



Fourth stage. One hundred and sixty square feet. 



Growth is very rapid and so plenty of space should be given. 



Fifth stage. Three hundred to five hundred square feet. 



Provision for ample space is most important during this stage as 

 the success of the crop depends mainly on it. The rule is that the more 

 space is allowed the more silk will be produced. 



(3) FEEDING THE WORMS. 



Mulberry silkworms can be fed only on mulberry leaves. 

 (i) Qualify of leaves required. 



A safe rule is " age of leaf to age of silkworm. " Young worms 

 should be fed upon young and tender leaves and the mature worms 

 should be given mature leaves. 



From hatching to first moult. The tenderest young green" leaves 

 from the tips of ^ mulberry shoots which have nearly opened and 

 are still of a very pale green should be given ; those which have not 

 yet unfolded should be avoided. The amount of food required at this 

 stage is small, and should be gathered fresh for each meal. 



From first to second moult. Young tender leaves should be served. 

 If, however, very tender leaves are not available and more developed 

 ones have to be given, they should be chopped into small pieces before 

 serving. 



Note. Leaves from bush mulberries or from early leafing varieties, if available, 

 should be used only up to the second mouft. After that the worms require to be fed on 

 leaves gathered from Katha black or white fruited mulberry trees, 



