186 THE MODERN HISTORY OF SILK. 



was equally impracticable ; but, alas ! they were soon 

 sufficiently reduced for me to adopt that plan ; and, 

 in one of the coldest days I almost ever felt, with 

 the assistance of several of my friends, I removed 

 them to their former apartment. There I kept large 

 and constant fires ; and the worms, as they arrived 

 at maturity, pursued their industrious occupation with 

 alacrity. 



" From this it will be perceived, that cold, though 

 H impedes their growth, does not essentially injure 

 the worms until they arrive at the state for spinning ; 

 and that then a certain degree of heat is requisite to 

 render the silk sufficiently fluid for them to eject it 

 with ease. If I could have made fires at the first, I 

 am sure that the dreadful havock would have been 

 prevented ; and those who rear them for profit may 

 readily construct places where an artificial heat may 

 counteract the effects of an uncommon season, and 

 prevent such a calamity. I have abundantly estab- 

 lished the following facts : 



" First, That the management of the Silk Worm 

 is by no means difficult ; the principal objection 

 having been obviated by the discovery, that they 

 may be supported so long a time on an indigenous 

 plant, which may be procured in all situations. 



" Second, That our climate supplies a sufficient 

 degree of warmth to bring the Silk Worm to the 

 highest perfection, unless in very extraordinary 

 seasons, which may be guarded against by the con- 

 struction of fire-places. 



" Third, And that the profits which arise from the 



