THE SILK WORM. 53 



Count Dandolo, who calculates that 200,000 Worms 

 will consume 7,000 Ibs. of leaves and that 21 Ibs. of 

 leaves will make I Ib. of cococns. 



Count de Hazzi calculates that the same number 

 of Worms will require 10,000 Ibs. of leaves in the fol- 

 lowing proportions. In the first age, 50 Ibs. ; 2nd, 

 150 Ibs. ; 3d, 460 Ibs. ; 4th. 1390 Ibs. ; 5th, 7950. 



M. Bonafous, says that 200,000 Worms were sus- 

 tained by 72 17 Ibs. leaves. The quantity, however, 

 fiven them between their regular meals was not ta- 

 en into the account, and the leaves were chopped 

 during the first stages, which enables the Worm to 

 consume them with Jess waste. 



Estimates have also been made of the daily con- 

 sumption of food by the Worms, proceeding from 

 five ounces of eg;gs, (from 175 to 200,000 in number) 

 each day of their different ages. Though we have 

 not much faith in feeding Worms by arbitrary math- 

 ematical rules ; yet as they may be of some practical 

 use to the culturist, in ascertaining the amount of food 

 necessary to be provided for his family of Worms, 

 we give them, in brief extracts, from the manual pub- 

 lished by authority of Congress in 1828. In doing 

 this, we shall give the amount prescribed, on each 

 consecutive day of their life, without regard to the 

 day of their respective ages. 



1st day. The first day after coming forth, and the 

 distribution of the Silk Worms, they should be given 

 in four meals, about three pounds three quarters of 

 single solt leaves, chopped very small, dividing the 

 time, so as to allow six hours between each meal ; 

 giving the smallest quantity for the first feeding, and 

 gradually increasing the quantity at each meal. 



2d day. On this day, about six pounds will be 

 *5 



