28 COMPLETE INSTRUCTION IN 



better circulation of air, and prevents the worms 

 from crowding on one another. When fed solid 

 leaves, they are very apt to mat down, and then 

 become heated and emit an unsavory odor, which 

 never should be allowed in the cocoonery. 



If the air of the room be very pure and dry, 

 and the lower branches become dry, it is not 

 necessary to remove the worms to clean trays 

 every day, but if the refuse and the portions of 

 leaves not eaten seem moist and likely to mold 

 or sour, they should be changed to fresh trays 

 by lifting the branches, the upper layers with 

 the worms on them. Set them on fresh trays, 

 and put the used trays out to air, and let them 

 be perfectly dried before using again. It is many 

 times best, as it saves much time and labor to 

 take out the trays from the racks. Spread a 

 cloth (such as is used to cover the leaves to keep 

 the moisture in) on the floor, take one tray at a 

 time, lay one side on the cloth, and hold the 

 other at 'an angle of about fifty degrees. Hold 

 the frame with your left hand, and with the 

 right hand gently lift up the branches and shake 

 them so as to shake also the tray. In this way 

 all the dirt and litter will roll down, and you 

 can put the trays back in place and feed the 

 worms. When there are two persons in the 

 cocoonery, this work can be done very much 

 more quickly. 



