413 
On the Management of the Silk-fi^vrm. 
})ieces of ])oard together, to form an oblong square, three feet by two 
and a half, and three inches deep ; across the bottom, nail small reeds, 
or thin laths, about an inch apart. These trays are to be covered 
with cartridge ])aper, when wanted for the Silk-worm. A small ther¬ 
mometer is also necessary to regulate the heat. 
The method herein detailed in rearing the Silk-worm, is nearly the 
same as recommended by Count Dandolo, in his excellent work on 
that subject, and is proved by experience. 
Previous to the hatching of the Silk-worms, the eggs should be de¬ 
tached from the linen cloth, or paper, upon which they were deposited. 
The cloth, or paper, should be put in a pail of cold water, and remain 
^r six or eight minutes, to dissolve the gummy substance by which 
the eggs are stuck to the cloth. They are then taken out, he;ld up to 
drain a little, and then spread on a table. The eggs are scraped off 
with a table-knife, with great care, otherwise you may injure them. 
Put them in a basin with cold water, stir them about to wash off any 
of the matter remaining deposited by the Moths, pour off the water, 
and spread the eggs on a cloth to dry. Observe to skim off the eggs 
that swim on the top of the water, and throw them away, as they are 
not good. After the eggs are perfectly dry, spread them on a plate, 
about half an inch thick, and place them in a dry, cold, airy place, 
until the time you wish to hatch them, arrives. You must stir them 
about occasionally. They may be hatched without taking them off 
the cloth, but the above method is preferable. 
The greatest obstacle we have to contend with in this country is our 
variable climate, in its sudden transitions from heat to cold; and the great 
danger is, that the Worms hatch before there is a proper supply of 
food for them. To guard against that, is of the utmost consequence; 
they ought to be kept in as cold a place as possible, and free from damp, 
as it is very pernicious, and not brought into the warmth to hatch be¬ 
fore the middle of June,—the weather then, is generally more settled, 
and there will be no difficulty in getting a plentiful supply of food for 
them. 
About half-an-ounce of eggs, which will produce nearly 20000, will 
be as many as any cottager can have conveniency for rearing. The 
above quantity should be put on a paper tray, (a piece of paper folded 
up at the sides) about five inches square; the heat required for hatch¬ 
ing them is about 70 degrees.—It is impossible to say the exact time 
that will be required in the hatching of them, as that depends on the 
degree of temperature they have been kept in previously. The first 
day’s hatching should be thrown away, as they are generally few in 
number. A piece of writing paper pierced with numerous holes, should 
be put over the eggs, for the Worms as they hatch, to crawl through; 
