SILKWOKM GRAIN. 34,1 
some few fine da}^ are often succeeded by heavy rains 
and a return of cold weather ; it is therefore impossible 
to carry on the hatching regularly elsewhere than in 
a room. 
The hatching-room must be well aired, and provided 
with a stove of earthenware or iron-plate, but never 
of cast-iron. 
The grain is to be regularly spread over a cloth 
stretched on a frame, hung from the ceiling, 1 metre 
(about 3 feet 3 inches) from the ground, so that one 
may easily examine it, and take up the worms as they 
are hatched ; in this manner it will also be safe from 
mice. As soon as the external heat reaches 20° Centi- 
grade 68° Fah.), a temperature which must never be 
exceeded by any artificial heat, the doors and windows 
must be opened. For the first days it is sufficient to 
heat the stove in the evening, taking care to put on it 
a vessel of cold water, to be renewed every day. After 
the lapse of a few days, the fire must be lit morning 
and evening, and when the proper degree of heat is 
attained, the floor must be sprinkled with cold water. 
This heating must be continued, morning and evening, 
until the hatching is complete, care being taken never 
to exceed 20° Cent. (68° Fahr.) 
Hatching will take place, after an incubation carried 
on as we have just described, at the end of 20 days. 
The first issue is insignificant, and the worms may 
be rejected, for which purpose a tulle net, on which 
some small shoots of mulberry are laid, is to be placed 
upon the eggs ; to these the worms attach themselves, 
and the net is to be removed when the day's hatching 
is over. 
The second day's issue is much more considerable, 
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