The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1839-03-21

they will be too few in number 10 be worth
any trouble; and II mixed with the others,
will only cause confusion by their irregu.
larity In moulting, &c.
For removing the young worms from the
Matching tables to the hurdles, have found
the best method 10 be, TO lay whole null
berry leaves on the table, covering the
eggs and worms completely. The young
worms will soon collect upon the leaves,
when they are readily conveyed TO small
portable hurdle. by taking hold of the stem
Of the leaf, borne TO the laboratory and laid
upon the hurdles. Many thousands may
be accommodated on each hurdle for the
frs, week, and as the worms grow and be-
come crowded, they must be distributed TO
other hurdles. All these minute affairs
will suggest themselves TO the intelligent
operator, as they become necessary. The
morning is the time for removing thems
as they generally hatch from day. light TO
or s o'clock.
AS soon as the young worms are placed
upon the hurdles, supply Of food mus, be
given them. The leaves may be torn into
small pieces, and scattered over the surface
of the hurdle, covering the young worms
with them They will speedily commence
eating. The leaves on which they we're
borne from the Matching room will, however,
be sufficient for several hours. The worms
are now TO be regularly fed three times
day, with fresh leaves, torn into small pie.
ces, the size of dollar, or Whereabouts, for
the first week; after which, they are as
we'll iaid on whole. Care should be observ-
ed not TO lay on more leaves than will be
consumed, as considerable waste would thus
occur; and also, not to allow the worms
10 remain one moment without food it
were far better economy, indeed, 10 waste
leaves by giving too much, than TO stunt, the
worms, at any stage Of their existence. For
/ the first two weeks, no other care Is neces-
sary than attention TO their being properly
/ fed three times day, as above remarked /;
keeping the room al a moderate tempera.
Lture, by artificial heat, when cold and by
ventilation, when hot and sultry. The
\ French divide the time of the worms exis-
teHce into periods, which are distinguished
by their moul,,ng, or shedding their skin.
! These periods are called ages, and very par
,,cular directions are given for observance
al each of these periods or ages. l, how.
ever, have never found any particular me-
ccssIly for much variation IN treatment.
Cleanliness, moderate temperature, and full
supply of food, at all times, are all ever
found either necessary or useful at any time.
The periods Ct noulting are generally a.
bout the seventh, thirteenth, nineteenk and
twenty fourth days from the Matching; but
these periods are materially influenced by
! the care and attention bestowed and the
state Of the weather. Some worms will
be ready to spin on the Goth day, while
others will delay their spinning even to 40
and 80 days, according as they are well or
iliy attended TO. Aud here lei me advise
the young beginner that care IS money: for
there is no kind Of human employ nent 10
which care is so well rewarded as.in the
management of silk worms The worms
that by want of attention, are made TO spin
out their time of feeding 20 40 or 90 days
will have consumed double as much food as
those that begin TO spin their cocoons on
the 25th 10 the 2sth day; will have occu.
pied double the time of the attendants and,
after all, will not produce much, if any, over
half as much silk, and that Of an inferior
quality, as they would hav6 done, If well
attended to, and thus made 10 spin at the
proper time. This fact, which | have abun.
. dainty proved in my own practice. should
never be lost sight of.
The French also direct certain quantl-
, ties of leaves TO be given each day, during
each age Of the worms. This never found
of any service whatever. Worms will eat
double as much one day as another, owing,
probably TO the dampness or dryness OF the
air, or 10 various other causes ; but whaiev-
er the causes be, the ten or ttrenty pounds
of leaves directed to be given them may be
entirely too much or far too scanty an al
lewaace. My plan is to keep fresh food on
the hurdles at all times, and this believe
TO be the only economical rule. l have
often weighed the leaves according TO Count
DandoIe's scale, but never found the guam
/, titles he recommends to agree with the de.
mands of the worms--they sometimes re.
curing more, and sometimes less. | ina.
CINE, that the idea of weighing the leaves
for each day S consumption, In France, ORR
enated in the fact that the leaves are grown
by one person and the worms raised by
another in that country; the person who
raises the worms purchases the leaves by
weight, and this making i, necessary that
the consumer should form some estimate
of the probable quantity he would want
each day. 1t could not have originated
in practice; for, as before remarked, the
consumption of leaves is not regular al any
particular time.
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