224 THE CALIFORNIA 



from the papers the ordures of the worms ; after which 

 you replace your top where it was ; this is easily done, 

 and it would take but a short time to cleanse in that 

 way the whole room, if it was necessary. It is never 

 needed more than once during the whole feeding. 



When the warmth of the atmosphere will admit, as 

 in the former ages, the numerous windows in the roof 

 and on the sides must be opened to preserve a pure at- 

 mosphere. They delight, in all the latter days, in 

 a cool, fresh, and pure atmosphere ; then when the 

 weather is parching, hot, and dry, sprinkle the floor 

 with water occasionally, and keep shallow vessels filled 

 with water to rectify the air. 



During every age and until the silkworm has ceased 

 taking food, it never inclines to wander a circumstance 

 which has rendered this insect wonderfully easy of con- 

 trol. 



In the other chapters I have already expressed my 

 views on frequent feedings, and also the advantage of 

 feeding in the night, though I have not done this yet in 

 California, as I always raised them in small quantities ; 

 but I know that it is admitted everywhere, and that we 

 must do it if we wish a complete success, and to obtain 

 silk of superior quality. But before concluding the 

 subject of feedings, I wish to say a few w.ords more : 

 feed the worms frequently and as regularly as possible, 

 and as abundantly as circumstances permit ; let them 

 always have as much as they will eat with a good appe- 

 tite, always observing that when the time of rnoul tings ar- 

 rives, they will cease to eat and retire among the branches ; 



