11 
The usual size of the perforated paper is 2^ feet long and 14 inches 
wide, with holes of live-eighth of an inch ; and the netting, the 
holes are usually seven-eighth of an inch. The perforated paper or 
nets are placed over the worms, not in contact with, hut about three 
eighths of an inch above thc-m. Silkworms require well-lighted rooms, 
but direct rays of the snu are injurious to them. In the third stage the 
temporature is kept at 70 degrees, and in the fourth and fifth 
at 6S degrees. When the worms are asleep or in a state of lethargy, 
they lay quiet with their heads upright, and don’t like to be dis¬ 
turbed. In all the stages the same work and attention is required, 
as explained in the first stage. When the worms are young there is 
very little labour. Where the most labour is wanted is at the last 
stage, as die following table will show : — A person can attend in the 
first stage to worms from 10 ounces of eggs ; in the second stage six 
ounces; in the third stage three and a half ounces ; in the fourth 
stage two ounces ; iu the fifth stage ono and a half ounce. 
Leaves required for one ounce of eggs is as follow :— 
For the 1st stage. 81bs. 
2 nd 
3rd 
4 th 
5th 
26 lbs. 
SOlbs. 
2401bs. 
1494lbs. 
Total .- — 18481bs. 
When the worms are fed in large numbers during the fifth 
stage, as soon as the leaves are laid on the trays, they cause a 
sound in the room, when eating, similar to rain. It is ueccssary to 
retard the hatching of the eggs until the leaves appear on the trees 
full-grown and strong, for tender leaves are not very w holesome and 
cause sickness. The appliances required in a silkworm-room are : — - 
A small hand tray to carry the worms wheD shifting them ; a ladder 
to reach the upper trays ; a hand-basket, a knife, a barometer and a 
few' other things. It will take about 15 pounds of leaves to pro¬ 
duce one pound of cocoons. 
Spinning of Cocoons. 
In the fifth stage the worms consume at least four times more 
leaves than in the former four stages, but at the end of the eight 
days of thisstago this great appetite soon diminishes, and the worms 
begiu to lose their size and colour, becoming semi-transparent, and 
then cease to eat, and become restless and are seeu moving in all 
directions, w hich indicates that they are lookiug for a suitable place 
to build the cocoonr. When the worms start spinning, the tempera¬ 
ture is kept at 77 degrees, until the cocoon is finished. As 
soon as the wot ms are looking for a place to build the cocoon, no 
time must be lost in fixing the twigs, or other things specially pre¬ 
pared for the purpose of spinning the cocoons in. For beginners the 
oheapest and simplest way is to adopt the twig system. Usually 
the twigs are fixed up iu the trays on the sixth day of the last stage 
as follows:—The twigs are placed between the trays in the shape of 
arches, extended light across and along the tray. The arches are 
made about 15 inches wide, and the branches must be carefully 
spread in such a manner as not to leave too much space ; neither 
