On the Management of tlie Silk-PF'orm. 417 
of every day they should be removed to clean trays: the best time to 
remove them is immediately after the first feed. As soon as they get 
upon the leaves or twigs, remove them to the clean trays — it may be 
necessary to remove a few of the large worms with the hand, or it is 
better to take them up with a quill, as the less you touch them the 
better, our hands being so much warmer than their bodies, are very 
hurtful to them. — The paper trays used the first day, will answer for 
the third, and so on. For the seventh day, a less quantity of leaves will 
be required than on the former day, and the eighth day, still less ; the 
ninth day very few will be required, but observe to give them as much 
as they will consume at all times, now in particular : on the tenth day 
a sprinkling of leaves may be given. On this day most of the Worms 
will shew symptoms of rising ; they become of a transparent colour, 
restless, move about without eating, rearing their heads, as if looking out 
for something, and get along the sides of the trays. When such is the 
case, it is a sure sign that they are going to prepare to spin their silk. 
As soon as they show the above signs, small twigs of birch, or bunches 
of heath, should be got in readiness, and stuck round the sides and 
backs of the trays, meeting at the top, so as to form an alcove : the front 
should be left open that you can sweep up the litter, and assist some of 
the Worms to rise ; but most of them will get upon the branches with- 
out any assistance. Some of the Worms may be two or three days 
later than the others in rising : if any remain after the third or fourth 
day, they should be collected and put on a tray by themselves, or other- 
wise thrown away. From the hatching of the Silk-worm to the time 
they rise, will occupy about thirty-six days. 
Various are the diseases incident to the Silk-worm, through bad ma- 
nagement, but I cannot go into particulars, as it woild take up too much 
space. As soon as any diseased Worms appear, they should be picked 
out immediately and thrown away. 
Tlie sixth atje of the Silk- worm. 
About the eighth or ninth day alter the Worms begin to spin, the cocoons 
may be gathered. The bunches of birch or heath, should be taken 
down, and tlie cocoons picked off and put in a basket : at this time also 
the floss, or loose silk, that attaches the cocoon to the branches should 
be picked off. The cocoon should be sold, or the silk immediately 
wound off ; or if they are to be kept some time, they should be steamed, 
to kill the chrysalis, otherwise on becoming a moth it will eat through 
the silk, and of course spoil it. Before the cocoons are steamed, a few 
of the best should be picked out for seed. There is no sure sign of dis- 
tinguishing the cocoon that contains the male from the female moth : 
the only way is to pick out the most compact and well formed. It takes 
nearly 200 moths, male and female, to produce one ounce of eggs. 
Vol. I, No. 9. 3 P 
