214 THE CALIFORNIA 



leaves retain their freshness and flavor for a longer 

 time, and in that case are devoured with less waste. 



The Italians insist on cutting the leaves fine for 

 young worms ; I did so the last season, but have 

 observed that under our dry atmosphere we should not 

 do it, as they get dried up, immediately, and the little 

 ones have hardly time to eat anything before they are 

 too hard ; on that subject I am just reading now, that 

 Mr. Smith, and some others of America, have rejected 

 this mode, after trial, as the silkworms tread down the 

 cut leaves, passing over them and causing waste. 



The young worms prefer twigs, or small branches, as 

 the leaves keep longer in this state, or until consumed, 

 and are more consonant to the natural habits of the 

 worms. It has also been noticed, that the worms avoid 

 the cut edges, and attack the leaf in any other part 

 in preference. A dozen leaves torn in pieces at each 

 feeding will support a great many worms during the 

 first, second, third and fourth days, and but a very 

 few leaves will suffice during the first ten days. Con- 

 stant attention will soon enable the intelligent attend- 

 ant to discover the quantity of food necessary, and to 

 avoid, on one hand, stinting them in the needful quan- 

 tity, or on the other hand, a needless waste by over 

 supplies of food. 



The young leaves being replete with moisture, and 

 very tender, are the only suitable food for the young 

 silkworms, because their bodies perspire largely ; and 

 as the mature leaves contain a greater proportion of 



