THE SILK WORM. 49 



In feeding "Worms care should be taken not to give 

 them too many leaves at a time, and to lay them thin 

 upon them. If laid too thick, many of the Worms 

 will be carried off with the litter and destroyed. 

 During the first age of the Worm, the tenderest 

 leaves should be selected for them, and those on 

 young trees are better than those on older ones. 

 Some cultivators sow the seed every year for the 

 purpose of having tender leaves for the young Worms, 

 and all would find it materially for their advantage. 



Leaves from young plants are preferable to those 

 from older ones, during the second age. As the Silk 

 Worm is tenacious of cleanliness, care must be taken 

 to remove all the litter which they make. This may 

 easily be done by scattering fresh leaves on the cor- 

 ner of the shelf to .which the Worms will readily at- 

 tach themselves. When they have thus attached 

 themselves, take up the leaves to which they cling, 

 leaving the litter underneaih, and place them in a 

 clean place. After removing the litter, they may be 

 re-placed in the same manner. Some lay the Worms 

 on sheets of paper. In that case, it is easy to take 

 out the paper, lay it on a table, or shelf, and carry 

 the Worms to another sheet placed on the shelf af- 

 ter cleaning it. 



Full grown leaves, from the largest trees may be 

 given during the third age, and the litter should be 

 removed every day All dead and diseased Worms 

 should be immediately removed or they will endan- 

 ger the health of the others. When the Worms are 

 sick and are about changing their skins, they hold up 

 their heads, are stupid and appear to be asleep. This 

 ought to be particularly noticed for at such times they 

 should be fed sparingly. The diseases of Silk Worms, 

 5 



