ON THE CULTURE OF SILK. 85 



leaves with the worms adhering to them, are tlien to be carefully 

 taken up and removed to a clean place. Then clear away the 

 litter from that portion of the shelf, and remove to it the worms 

 from the adjoining part in the same manner. Or remove them 

 to a paper on a side table — take away the paper containing the 

 litter from which the worms have been removed and put the 

 paper on which they now are, in its place. During the first and 

 second age, feed the worms with young and tender leaves of 

 mulberry, lettuce, or some other substitute. During the third 

 age full grown leaves may be used, reserving however the 

 largest and toughest, till the last age when they are most vora- 

 racious. As they advance in age, more and more food will be 

 required, and the oftener the litter must be removed. By these 

 means the health of the worms will be preserved and the process 

 sooner brought to a conclusion. In the the fifth or last age, they 

 should have new leaves as often as the previous supply is con- 

 sumed, until they are observed to creep over the leaves without 

 eating. Silk worms eat and work by night as well as by day — 

 in their last age they should be well foddered at bed time. You 

 may know when the worms are ripe, or ready to rise and form 

 their cocoons, by observing them with attention. They now 

 look transparent, of the color of the green gage plum, are some- 

 what diminished in size, — they wander about without eating and 

 try to climb. 



Before the worms begin to mount and spin their cocoons, 

 they void their excrements. Feeble worms, that have not 

 strength for this, die in the attempt, and many worms are some- 

 times lost at this pei'iod — they should at this time be kept as 

 clean as possible, and the dead worms removed as soon as disco- 

 vered. 



No bad smells, no smoke of tobacco or any thing else should 

 ever be allowed to corrupt the pure air of the laboratory. 



Diseases of Silk Worms. — The diseases of silk worms gene- 

 rally arise from the want of sufficient ^ir and space — from not 

 being kept clean and dry — from irregular feeding — damaged 

 food — the fermentation of their litter — damp and bad air, &ic. 

 Great care in regard to these particulars is required during the 



