March.] THE NURSERY. 283 
When they have fed their due time, they begin to look clear, and 
a little of the yellowish cast, and to prepare for work; at every 
time, but at this more particularly, they should have plenty of air. 
Then small branches, divested of their leaves, are laid over them 
and in their way, upon which they mount and attach themselves, 
and in a few days each will cover itself all over with silk, so as to be 
seen no more, till suffered to work its way out for the business of 
propagation. 
In about two weeks they commonly finish their balls, and soon 
after cut their way out, and couple for procreation; the balls so 
perforated are then good for nothing; but it is necessary to suffer 
a sufficient number to come out in this way, to produce a sufficiency 
of eggs for the next season's brood. The others, when they have 
done working, and before they begin to cut through, should be all 
put into an oven, just sufficiently hot to kill the worms. 
The method of winding the silk off the balls, is first to find their 
ends, which is not difficult, and then put about a dozen or fifteen 
of them into a bason of hot water, wherein is dissolved a little Gum 
Tragacanth, commonly called Gum Dragon; and thus they will be 
easily wound. Sometimes the balls are gummy, in which case 
they should be thrown into a hot clean lye of wood ashes, and after 
that into scalding pure water, which will cause them to wind freely. 
When the animal is protruded from the egg, it is a small black- 
ish worm, very active, and naturally crawls about in search of food; 
at this period it should be fed with the youngest and most tender 
leaves; in eight or ten days it will increase in size to about a quar- 
ter of an inch in length. It is then attacked with its first sickness, 
which is a kind of lethargic sleep, for about two or three days con- 
tinuance; during which time it changes its skin, preserving the 
same bulk. It undergoes similar sickness and changes three or 
four times, at intervals of about eight days, before it arrives at its 
full size; which is from an inch and quarter to an inch and half in 
length; and the intervals between these changes, and consequently 
the periods of its arrival at maturity for work, are said to vary in dif- 
ferent climates, which is very probable. 
After it has formed its cocoon, or ball of silk, and undergone its 
change in the heart of it, it comes forth a heavy dull looking moth 
with wings, but these it seldom uses for flying; it only flutters and 
crawls slowly about, in guest of its mate; soon after copulation the 
female lays its eggs, and both die without tasting food in this stage 
of their existence. 
When in the worm or caterpillar state, they are of a blackish, 
or a milk or pearl colour: the former are esteemed the best. The 
body is divided into seven rings, to each of which are joined two 
very short feet. It has a small point like a thorn exactly over the 
anus. There are a considerable variety of breeds, some of which 
possess qualities much superior toothers. This is a particular of 
much importance to be adverted to, at the time of beginning to 
breed; for it will make a great difference in the profit to the under- 
taker. The eggs when obtained should be kept in a cool, dry place, 
neither exposed to heat, nor to excessive frosts, till wanted for 
hatching the ensuing season, 
