HINTS ON SILKWORM-REAKING IN THE PUNJAB. 



the dew out. Till the last moult, worms should be given four feeds a 

 day. Convenient times of feeding are 



7 A.M., 12 A.M., 5 P.M. and 10 P.M. 



If up to the seeond moult an extra meal can be added between 12 

 and 5, say at 3 P.M., so much the better. 



In the last stage more than three meals should not be given in any 

 case ; the best times for these are : 



7 A.M., 2 P.M. and 10 P.M 

 The last meal should be larger than the others. 



(iv) Proper feeding during moulting. 



Each time when the worms are about to moult their meals should 

 be small and frequent of tender or chopped leaves. No food should be 

 given to moulting worms : it is injurious as it disturbs them. But feed- 

 ing should not be stopped till all the worms have gone to sleep. Those 

 which are not asleep require food before sleeping, so small quantities 

 should be sprinkled on them from time to time till they have all gone 

 to sleep. 



When all the worms have begun to moult feeding should not be 

 resumed for about twenty-four hours till all are well out of the moult ; 

 for if some are fed early and some late, the equality of age will be dis- 

 turbed, 



(4) REMOVAL OP LITTEB. 



Litter is the refuse leaf and excreta of the worms. It should not 

 be left lying on the racks but should be periodically cleaned away. The 

 simplest way of doing so is to serve a meal, of tender end branches of 

 leaves or of whole leaves to the worms. When the worms climb on them 

 they should be lifted and placed on a clean place. Precautions should 

 be taken that no healthy worms are thrown in the litter which should 

 therefore be carefully examined and any worms in it should be removed. 

 If, however, a few sickly looking worms are found they should not be 

 separated. The refuse litter should be taken in a basket to some distance 

 from the house where it should be stored in a pit, and used for manure. 

 On no condition should it be allowed to lie about in the room, as it 

 causes infectious diseases amongst the worms. 



Litter should be removed as follows : 



First removal Two days after the first moult. 



Second Two days after the second moult. 



Third ... After the third moult. 



Fourth ... After the fourth moult. 



Fifth ., ... On the sixth day in the fifth 



stage. 



