9 
anil yet under this rough treatment the worms prosper well. The 
length of the silkworms' life will greatly depend on the tomperature 
that they have been reared under, and the sort of treatment received; 
but if properly governed, the following is the average of their life: — 
From birth to spinning the cocoon, 28 days ; from the spinning to 
the piercing through of the cocoon, 22 days, and from the piercing 
of moth through the cocoons to the end of life (20 days) ; altogether 
70 days, and out of this time they are fed about 28 days only, and 
live 42 days without any food whatever; hut as soon as the moths 
are done laying the eggs they are destroyed. 
With a very low temperature, moths can be kept alive in the 
caeoons from one seasou to the other, or for twelve months. This 
has been repeatedly proven. Silkworms possess eight legs and 12 
eyes, nine holes near the legs on each side, which act as respirators, 
and the body is covered with a fine hair, visible only with a strong 
.glass. 
The silkworms undergo four transformations during the course of 
their life. First is the eggs ; second, the worms ; third, the chry¬ 
salis ; fourth, the moths. Three days after the completion of the 
cocoon, the worm is transformed into a chrysalis, and in the course 
of about 15 days is transformed into a moth. When the warms are 
full grown it would take about eight to weigh one ounce. 
Rearing the Silkworms. 
When the silk-cnlturist has the necessary requirements, such as 
mulberries, habitation, and all necessary appliances and the eggs 
properly hatched, he wonld be in a position to start rearing the 
worms and undertake the simple art of silk culture. Cleanliness 
■and good ventilation is of iho most importunes to be maintained 
right through the rcaiiug of the silkworms, and also to carry out 
■with due attention the regulations connected with the industry. 
From birth up to the spinning of the cocoons, toe silk-worms go 
through five stages, and moults or changes it? skin four times. The 
•duration of the five stages will depend on the temperature they 
are kept in, and the way that the worms are treated. 
With a temperature of Sfideg. F., and constant feeding, the five 
stages would end in about 20 davs, and by lo verirg the degree to 
06, and with scarcity of food, it would take from 40 to 50 days to 
accomplish the five stages. In adopting the above extreaie way, it 
would end with bad results, and after much experience the proper 
time for the five stages i? reckoned at about 30 days at about 73 
degrees of temperature. The various stages arc: divided as follows: — 
First stage will last five days, second stage will last four days, third 
Btige will lact five days, the fourth stage will last six days, aud the 
fifth stage will last, eight days. 
The following table will show the spaee occupied by the worms 
in their fast development : — 
In the second stage the worms will occupy double the space of 
the first stage ; in the third, four times of the second ; in the fourth, 
eight times of the third ; aud the fifth, 10 times of the fourth. 
In the first stage the worms are fed five Units a day, and the 
leaves cut fine (say about one-sixteenth of an inch broad, and care¬ 
fully and equally spread on top of the worms and only sufficient for 
