HINTS ON SILKWORM-REARING IN THE PUNJAB. 



It is extremely important to keep the rearing house as clean ae 

 possible. Sweeping or cleaning should be done gently and dust should 

 not be raised. 



Spinning of 21. The worms when fully mature begin to spin cocoons. 



(1) SIGNS OF MATURITY. 



On the fifth or sixth day after the fourth moult the worms 

 approach maturity : their appetites diminish and their bodies become 

 translucent. Two or three days afterwards they become fully mature : 

 they cease to eat, protrude their heads as if looking for something, their 

 bodies become completely translucent, and from the mouth exude 

 threads of silk. They begin to wander, begin to crawl away from the 

 trays and to climb up the sides of the racks. This instinct to mount shows 

 that they are about to spin. They must then be provided with a spin- 

 ning place. 



(2) THE HEATH OB SPINNING MATERIAL. 



Worms should not be allowed to spin their cocoons in the 

 litter, but suitable material should be provided on which they can 

 climb and spin. Clean and dry twigs called the " heath '' are the best ; 

 branches also of trees or bushes, or stems of rice, wheat, toria or sarson, 

 or some other non-resinous crop is used for this purpose : it should be 

 used as follows : 



On the fifth day after the fourth moult some bundles of these 

 twigs or stems are tied at regular intervals on the posts and cross 

 pieces of the racks. The early mature vagabond worms will come 

 in contact with these bunches and spin their cocoons in them. 



When the worms begin to mount the bundles, these are placed 

 in an upright position in the litter amongst the worms (plate I, fig. 1). 

 Care should be taken to provide plenty of them so that all the .vorms 

 have twigs to mount within easy reach. These bundles are arranged in 

 such a way that their tops come in contact but sufficient space is left in 

 between at the bottom to remove the litter, and to feed the worms which 

 are not quite ripe. 



(3) SPINNING. 



The mature worms mount on the heath and begin to spin 

 cocoons. During this period they are most susceptible to accidents 

 and great care should be taken of them. Some of them fall from the 

 heath : they should be replaced on it : others are in awkward positions : 

 they should be removed to better positions. 



When worms cannot easily find the heath they cast their silk on 

 the litter. Such worms are called " short worms." They should be 

 picked up and placed in a comfortable position on the heath. 



On the fourth day after the worms have begun to climb, all 

 the backward worms, which are not yet mature, should be separated, 

 and light food and heath should be supplied to them. All the litter 

 ghould be removed from the old bed. This is necessary as the ripe 



