Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-05-11
FRIDAY, May III, 1927.

universal admission OF either Kind answering the
end.
The next is to procure the eggs, Which about the
beginning of May, or when the mulberry begins to
expand its leaves, to lay them paper or iannels
placed on shelves, in warm exposures, where they
have the heat of the sun to hatch them. In Sicily,
boarded or frame houses are commonly erected for
this purpose in the fields, among the mulberry trees,
with number of shelves rising one above another,
and large table in the middle of the room, on
which, when they are Matched. to lay over them the
young twigs bearing the leaves intended for their
food, which must be removed and renewed as ften
as necessary keeping them always clean from dead
leaves, and their own dirt man and boy will at
tend all the worms that come from six ounces of
eggs and those, year with another, will spin 90
pounds weight Of silk
The method of clearing off their dirt is this; spread
net over the worms, which lay fresh food, they
will all crawl through the meshes to feed on the
injury, and their shelves cleaned ehectually after
which lay fresh twgs with leaves on the shelves /;
these lay the nets, and they will return to their
former places, when the nets may be laid by till
wanted again for similar purpose. In some coun-
tries. the worms are suffered to feed and work on
the trees, but their being subject under such circum
stances, to the ravages of birds, unfavourabe chan
ges of weather, &c. they generally kept in houses
or sheds erected for the purpose.
In Turkey, the worms are fed in long barns, made,
both walls and roofs, of reed cane where they
are led, and afterwards spin their clues upon these
reeds In Italy and Spain, they are kept to feed in
| the same r0oms wherein the people live and do their
other household affairs, feeding them on shelves
and tables without more curiosity.
1t is observed, that the worms are commonly sick
three or four times during their feeding, generally
about ten days after they are hatched and at week
ly periods afterwards. The best treatment, during
these times is give them but little food while sick.
The whole time of their feeding, is about weeks !;
and as they get strength and grow bigger, 1t need
hardly be said that you must give them more, and
oftener. The leaves should not be given to the
worms, whilst wet with dew or rain.
| When they have fed their due time, they begin tC
look clear, and a little of the yeowish cast. and
prepare for work at every time, but at this more
particularly, they should have plenty of air. Then
small branches, Invested of their leaves, are laid
over them, and in their way, upon which they mount
and attach themselves, and in 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 bust
ness of propagation.
j. In about two weeks they commonly finish their
6slls, and after cut their way out and couple
To- proc ati0Q balls 80 perforated are then
good for nds II lis necessary to suffer a
sufficient number 70 q IN this way, to pro-
duce sufficieucy Of CO. It'll seasons brood.
The others. when they have kiRg, and be
fore they begin to cut through e. ny all put in
. an oven. Just sufficiently hot 10 Kill the worms
he method of winding the silk Off the balls, is
SYST to find their ends which is not difficult, and
isi pat about dozen or fifteen of them into a ba-
@,l of hot water, wherein is dissolved little Gum
rragacanth commonly called Gum Dragon and
nus they will be easily wound Sometimes the balls
are gummy, in which case they should be thrown
into hot clean lie of wood-ashes, and after that in
to scading pure water, which will cause them to
wind freely.
When the animal is protruded from the egg, it is
a small blackish worm, very active, and naturally
craws 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 size
to about quarter of an inch in length. 1t is then
attacked with its first sickness, which is kind of
ethargc sleep, for about two or three days contin-
uance during which time it changes its skin, pre-
serving the same bulk. 1t undergOes similar sick
ness 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 muturity for work, are said to vary in different
climates, which is very probable
After it has formed its cocoon, or ball OF silk, and
undergone its change in the heart Off, it forth
heavy dull looking moth with wings, but these it
seldom uses for flying, it only futters and crawls
about, in quest of his mate soon after population
the female lays its eggs and both die without tasting
food in this stage of their existence.
| When in the worm caterpillar state, they are
of backish, or 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. 1t has small point like thorn exactly
over the anus. There are considerable variety of
breeds, some of which possess qualities, much SUI
perior to others. This is particular of much i'm
porance to be adverted to, at the time OF beginning
to breed for it will make great difference in the