244 APPENDIX. [March, 



In their food, consisting of clean mulberry leaves, not too much 

 withered and shrivelled by drying, two cautions are to be observed, re- 

 latinor to time and quantity. Some contend that they should be served 

 by weight, according to a prescribed rule, varying the quantity from 

 time to time. My practice has been to do by them as I myself like to 

 be done hj ; that is, to measure out a portion suited to the demands of 

 appetite, studiously avoiding irregularity and unseasonableness in the 

 ministration. They should be fed early and late, not unnecessarily 

 subjecting them to long intervals of fasting. Five meals a day, at least 

 when they are in a mood promptly to dispatch what is set before them, 

 or laid upon them, are not too much. They are not to be urged to 

 gluttony beyond their inclination, and thus obliging them to leave a 

 residuum to be wallowed upon rather than devoured. There are whole 

 days when they do not eat at all, at the periods of moulting, or casting 

 the skin, when they should not be disturbed until they have disencum- 

 bered themselves ; and their appetite returns. Much depends, unques- 

 tionably, on preserving the silk worm, in all its stages, from the deadly 

 influence of sickly, unwholesome air, arising, it may be, from a variety 

 of causes, one of which is likely to be the accumulation of litter on 

 the shelves, if care be not taken to remove it before moisture and de- 

 composition render it pestiferous. Another evil, from permitting litter 

 to grow into a pile, is often the loss of worms buried in their own rub- 

 bish, which, if extricated, can never be restored to vigor sufficient to 

 finish their task and produce a crop. Sickness and death may come 

 in consequence of a culpable inattention to cleanliness. The sick 

 should be removed to some sequestered spot, where they may be res- 

 tored by sweet air and tender nursing, and the dead thrown away. In 

 removing worms to give them a clean bed, unnecessary handling of 

 them should be avoided. While their size will admit of it, they may 

 be removed by branches laid down, on which they readily fasten. 



After nearly attaining their size, it will be found necessary to use 

 the fingers, which should be done with -gentleness. Rough handling 

 does not comport with their soft texture. Peculiar care to keep them 

 from falling to the floor from the hurdle is important. When they 

 manifest a disposition to spin their cocoons, which some ordinarily do 

 in about thirty days, no time should be lost in freeing them from all 

 the filth and rubbish remaining under them. This being done, prepar- 

 ation must be made for their accommodation, with a convenient and 

 eligible cabin, in which they may accomplish their last labor and house 

 themselves in their silken tissue, until a mysterious metamorphosis shall 



