davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18
By T. A. KELEHER.

~ HERE Is a growing tendency TO
introduce into the class room
j work in nature study, and
among the subjects taken up
under this head Is sillCwOrm rearing.
This fascinating work has become
popular pastime among the pupils an
many an interesting hour IS spent In
the school room by these amateur silk
culturists IN following the gradual de-
veIopment OF the worm from the day
1t issues from the tiny egg, watching
its every movement its growth 70
maturity, the remarkable energy a.
displays IN the building Of its silken
home, and at length its emergence
from the cocoon as a beautiful cream
Colored moth whose sole object is to
lay eggs for the perpetuation Of its
species.
IN our biographies and IN some OF
the readers" silk culture IS briefly
mentioned, but TO gain better knowi-
edge u the nature and habits Of the
wonderful little silk producer t!ran
can be obtained by the. mere study Of
pictures and descriptions. one should
secure some siIkworm eggs, which
when Matched out may be easily cared
for by the pupils and Will offer them
an excellent chance to observe each
day how one Of Gods little creatures
passes through its different phases Of
development.
The eggs may be obtained during
winter and kept IN a cool, dry place
until the mulberry leaves are out in
the spring. A perforated tin box
makes good receptacle 10 protect
eggs from rats and mice, which are
very fond OF them.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18
Precautions TO Be Taken.

Do not disturb the worms while in
mott. Never allow the suns rays to
shine upon them. Guard against the
invasion OF rats and mice; they are
the silkworms' worst enemies. Avoid
feeding with stale. damp. or wet
leaves. Maintain If possible. ar aver
age temperature Of from 20 to so de-
grees farenheit.
At the end Of eight days OF vora-
cious feeding after the Anal mott. the
worms begin TO crawl over the leaves
without eating. shrink somewhat in
size. and change IN color 70 a semi
transparent white or yellow; they are
restless. rear their heads as II in
search Of something to climb upon,
and begin TO throw out threads OF
silk When these signs are noticed
everything should be prepared at once
for the spinning Of the cocoons. IN
order that the worms may not lose
their strength ard silk in seeking for
the support they require Branches
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18
AFRICAN TRIBES
EAT THEIR DEAD

You may be interested 70 know"
said J. ]. Reynard. OF the Cape-to-Cairo
telegraph construction staff, IN an in
terview with representative OF the
Cape Argus, that cannibalism stin
survives and is, to my knowledge, prac-
ticed by the Chikanda dwelling along
the Zambesi and Shire rivers. A case
came to my notice last year. The body
Of celebrated hunter, who had sue
cUmbed 10 fever. was exhumed and de-
voured- At one important center Of the
Shire the cemetery has TO be guarded to
prevent the natives devouring the new
~ buried bodies AS far as I know,
canniba1ism is not practiced openly by
tribes in the country with which I am
acquainted. The natives who devour
our dead believe that II they eat the
body OF european they will acquire
his intelligence, just as they eat the
heart OF Lion because they believe
they will gain the courage Of the Hon.
The Mambwe. Of the Tanganyika, re-
gard the Her as sacred. and. believing
implicitly In the transmigration OF the
soul believe that the spirit OF a dead
chief enters into the body Of a lion or
python: Those animals are, therefore.
taDooec- unless they kill man, when the
TABOO is withdrawn -
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18
Whale With FdraChe 5 s9Ioss

II was story told by a whaler who
retired from the sea when the catch of
the deep-sea game had so fallen of that
there was no longer any profit IN cap
tain's lay. even with the added earnings
from the slop chest
But as il has been confirmed by the
biologists of the fish commission the
truth Of the story is unassafIable.
When the whales were still frequent
along the lanes Of passenger travel
across the western ocean nothing was
more common than TO see the great
beasts hurting their tons Of bulk clean
out of the waves and after Eight
through the air falling back into the
sea with an enormous splash and Jets
Of foam, a spectacle never failing of tn
terest to the ocean tourist, but not due
to any gleesome sportive disposition on
the part Of the leviathan OF the deep.
Quite the contrary, the preaching OF
the whale is no fun for the beast, It is
a frantic effort TO rid himself OF the
torment of earache. There is a marine
crustacean whose aim IN a maritime
career il to poster whales TO the verge
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18

fresh leaves. the old debris being then
cleared away
on the sixth Cay OF this age the
worms mott third time and begin
the fourth age. which lasts six or
seven days. The insects now become
interesting objects for study. es they
grow rapidly. They now require NOR
food and small branches OF mulberry
should be given four OF i've times
dany. At the end Of each day branches
o. mulberry are placed over the
worms. and as soon as the worms
have all mounted TO the fresh food
The branches with the worms upon
them ara transferred to an empty
tray: the tray containing the old
leaves should then be cleaned and
made ready for the next days trans
Ter.
The next or final molt is the most
critical and laborious. and should
there be any disease i1rling IN the
worms # will surely manifest itself
at this time. After the worms have
undergo this mott they are now in
the fifth and last age. Fresh food
should be given constantly during this
period, for in this age the worms con
sume more food than during the whole
Of their previous existence.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18

wherever they are 20 spin their CO
cOons-
The cOcoons may be gathered eight
days from the time the worms began
spinning them Those which are 70
be saved. The moths not being per
mitted to emerge. should be placed in
clean pans in an oven and Ieft there
for several hours with a temperature
Of about 20J-F. A higher temperature
would be likely 10 burn the silk This
is one Of the ways in which the en-
closed chrysalides are killed when
cocoons are 70 be used IN silk pro
ducuon.
CCcoons. which are set aside 70
await the emergence Of the moths,
may be strung upon a strong sewing
thread. run through the side OF the
cocoon. great care being taken not 70
pierce the enclosed chrysalis with the
needle. They may then be hung IN
some place that is free from rats and
------H ~ al 4AAAN--sI
which should appear In ron two 70
three weeks after the cocoons have
been formed
The natural food plant OF the silk
worm IS The mulberry There are 4
number % species or the mulberry.
but The one best adapted for the feed
ing OF the sflZwOrns II the white uui-
berry Cdorus alba). and It's varieties
Usage orange. commonly called hedge
plant, q an excellent substitute. ana
may be used where thu mulberry n
not avafa5le
This brief dsscz4DEton OF the nsthSd
Of cultivatlng tie zdnzEo-n - uss
intended FOR those persons E1shing c.
engage IN Il for profit or on q comuaRs
cial basis, but only for those Who -
sire 10 take II ND as q pastima n q
experimental way u is Al UouEGa[F
Interesting pursuit and. = o1lY e. "a
amusement. should appeal % al ~
ture lovers
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18

or small twigs or any clean, we'll
dried brush. free from leaves. may be
collected aud made into small punches.
one enc being SEED and the other al
lowed 20 spread out so that the worms
may mount ard spin between the
branches.
A better end more up-to-date meth
Oh. howe, ser. IS TO make ladders; the
Insects seem TO prefer this modern
contrivance 10 the bunch Of brush.
being able 10 buiid their silken homes
more conveniently therein Conuco-
pias. sufficiently large TO permit the
worms 60 move the head from one
side to the other II attaching their
silken flaments. can likewise be used
The spinning worHs should be gently
lifted by the fingers and placed
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18
* X
Propagatlng the Worms.

When the worms issue from the egg
they measure one-eighth OF an inch
IN length. They are ready for food
at once. and finely chopped tender
mulberry leaves should be prepared
for them During this age they re-
Quire al least six meals daily, and al
the end OF the fourth or nth day
bobinet. upon which some finely chop
ped mulberry leaves have been scat
tered, should be placed over them.
The baby worms soon become aware
Of the presence Of fresh food. and.
leaving the old food. pass through the
netting TO the fresh leaves placed
above. When this occurs. the old
netting should be removed with the re
mains upon II.
About this time the first mott takes
place. The worms hold their heads
up. are motionless.. and appear to be
asleep; this indicates that feeding viii
cease for at least from twenty -four
TO thirty-six hours, During the malt
the tray upon which the worms have
been kept should be cleaned so that
the little worms have everything in
their favor after they have moi'ed.
When the first mott IS completed the
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18
Nature of the SiIkworm.

The sil5worm proper, or the Chinese
species. from which the ordinary silk
OF commerce is produced. is the larva
or caterpillar Of a medium sized moth
which feeds upon the leaf Of the null
berry tree. This insect is commonly
called the mulberry silkworm-
When the mulberry leaves. the food
~ the worms-to-be. begin to unfold
IN the spring. the eggs may be Matched
by exposure for ten or twelve days
N a warm temperature. The larva
rDerds most OF its time in feeding; Il
grows rapidly and finally attains
length Of about three inches
The larval stage lasts from about
thirty to thirty-Gve days. It is divided
into five different ages. separated by
what are called moIts. at which sine
the worm casts its skin. The rapid
increase in size Of the insect renders
the original skin too small to allow
for its growth. and hence four molts
occur When the full grown worm is
ready TO spin its cocoon, It crawls over
the leaves. shrinks somewhat in size.
and. according 10 the race Of the
worm. Is now white or yellow, and
neml-transparenL Climbing upon suit
able place it commences TO throw out
threads Of silk at the rate of sixty
Eve motions Of its head per minute,
or $4,000 in building its cocoon.
The thread Of a cocoon is conJinu-
Gus and varies in length from 100
yards TO 100 yards. Cocoons vary
also in weight from 90 TO 400 10 the
pound for newly spun. or from $50
% Coo to the pound for dried cocoons.
II requires three and three quarter
pounds Of cocoons to produce a pound
OF reeled or raw silk. pound Of raw
silk being sufficient to make at least
ten yards Of the very best silk In
from two To three weeks the covering
u the chrysalis. which is enclosed in
the cocoon. splits. and the cream
colored moth within secretes a LIQUID
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18

II endurance, and there seems reason
TO believe that some whales have been
driven insane by tbcis tiny parasites.
II is a crab OF about h size OF that
which IS found IN the oyster. When it
lodges on the whale It Infests the inner
surface Of the eyelids and the ear. BY
swift rushes on the surface the whale
is able 70 clear his eyes. but the crab
in the inner ear cannot be dislodged by
any such means. One can only imagine
the 9e-foot anguish Of whale when
one or more OF the tiny foes walk
with needle pointed claws up and down
the drum Of the ear Hence In the ef-
fort 10 dislodse the pest the perform
ance which seems so picturesque to the
voyager.-Nsw York Sun.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18
SILKWORMZN2n EGG WMOTH 7

worms begin their second age with an
increased appetite, and no food should
be given until several hours have
elapsed. allowing the little creatures
sufficient time to recover from the ei-
fects Of the change. During this age.
which is the shortest. lasting sut four
days. six meals should be given daily.
and the worms should p, transferred
twice from the old 20 fres leaves.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18

which moIstens the end OF the cocoon
and dissolves the hard. gummy lining
Then. in the early morning hours the
moth, with crimped ana damp wings,
energies; a short time afterward the
wings become unfOlded onj dry and
the mother moth begins laying her
eggs. numbering about 100. The moths
1--we but a short time and partake Of
no food.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18

0CARCELY anyone knows
thai right here in Wash
~ ngton SHkwormS have
been successfully reared and their
cocooHS hare spun enough silk to
make many yards Of the finest ma
feriaI. As yet it has not reached
the dignity of an industry; it is
only in the experimental stage.
But number of Washington resi-
dents have taken up these expert
HeHtS as a nature study. One WhO
has been a leader in the pTOpaga-
ton of SilkWOrn and has eHcOur-
aged others TO attempt the expert
ment is T. A. Keleher, the expert
silk cultUTiSt of Washington.
He has studied the question
from eDery angle for many years
and is the authority for the state
Hent that the rearing of siIkworHlS
is a most interesting occupation,
although not enormously remuH-
eratipe. FOLLOWING is his graphic
description Of hon the siIkWOrm is
reared and silk is made:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18
Six Meals a Day.

On the fourth day the worms mott
the second time. and are then in the
third age. which lasts six days. Six
meals should be given daily Of coarse
ly cut or whole leaves. The worms are
now TOO large 20 rise through the net
ting. but they may De transferred 10
another tray after all have crawIed on
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18
SHOWED THE EFFECTS.

Where were yet Ii ST niEht. Casey7''
Shure. OF plinged into the soshaI
swim at McCarthy's."
"Oi know the wather is niver very
dape there. an judgin' film yure face
ye must have hit botthom. PICK.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18
POPE Plus K

tionaL and DR. Hole is dared 70 en-
force Il. II he can. The Rrussian con-
stitution guarantees freedom o.
thought and religion" argue the pa
pers. hence PTussIan citizens dursc
not be prevented from reading and
studylng Wlaleyer they nlease..
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18
THIS AND THAT.

The deepest hole IN the world has. beer
bored In Suesta- IL has reached depth
OF about 700 feet, and passes through
elghCy-three beds Of coal
An average man, living for the aver
age period OF human life. may be cal
cuiated 20 get through about $500 miles
OF reading
No bir6 can fly backwards without
turning the dragon fly. however. can
DO this. and can OUtstrip the swallow
An speed.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18
KAISER WILHELM

AISER WILHELM Joined the
Pope in the crusade against a
certain kind Of literature, but
goes further, even, Khan the
T2frrr Y rnr1arrnna .sfha md
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18

E0AA4AA- rus - GO-4AGAuAAo N-AD --Ac~
ernists," the Kaiser fights not only
these, but some 81 the older critics
OF biblical belief such as the Chris
tan faith.
The Prussiaa Minister OF Cult, DR..
Hole, has informed the directors OF
the National Lsague for Improving
the Mind OF tat Masses that their
libraries must MT contain works Of
Sarwin, Hoeckel. David Friedrich
Strauss. and ether writer's OF the same
character.
The Liberal Press maintains that
this order, on the part OF the min
Istar OF cult. - plainly UnccRsttu-
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1908-04-07
ANTl-BRYAN MOVEMENT.
Conference of Prominent Democrats
Held in New York.

Chicago, April 7.-An anti-Bryan
York. A conference, attended by sew
eral prominent Western Democrats
and by many from Eastern and South
ern states, was held there, reaching
both an end and decision in one day.
1t was held under direction of Will
lam Sheehan, BLUE Eyed William .
who, with David B. Hill, endeavored
successfully to make Alton B. Parker
the Democratic nominee in 1904 and
unsuccessfully to make him president.
The names of the men at the confer
ence are being kept secret. Those
present not only do not care to have
their own names made public, but
wish to protect" others in the con-
clave. The heaviest representations
were from the South and the East.
This movement comes coincidentally
with the beginning of active cam
paigning for Governor John A. john
son of Minnesota from Chicago head
quarters opened at the Grand Pacific
hotel here. Johnson himself will be
In Chicago this week with party of
Minnesota officials and citizens on
their way South. He goes to Pitts
burg Landing for the dedication of a
Minnesota monument and will visit
Louisville both going and returning.
On his return he is to make political
speech in Louisville and will be in
Chicago again Tuesday, April Ia.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1908-04-07
BRITISH CABINET CHANGES
Resignation of Premier Necessitates
Rearranqement

London, April 7.-An informal con-
ference of ministers under the presi-
dency of Herbert H. Asquith, chancel-
lor of the eXchequer, was held prior
to the commencement of the sitting
of parliament and the situation was
discussed in a general way, the pre-
mier.eleCt being anxious 10 hear the
views of his colleagues relative to the
prospect of cabinet changes now that
the necessity of its reconstruction has
actually materialiZed. In view of the
lack of success at the recent elections
the cabinet will be rearranged so as to
avoid as far as possible the election
contests made necessary when mem
bers of the house of commons or hold
ers of under secretaryships are elect
ed to cabinet rank.
David Lloyd George, president of
the board of trade, is still a hot favor
ite for the chancellorship, although
Mr.. Baldane, who shares the Liberal
1mperialist tendencies of Mr.. Asquith.
is understood to be a candidate for
the same portfolio. There is no hurry,
hO"tNCiF dOOub NuS lOuS dSSlSu'
ments, as Mr.. AsQuith will retain the
chancellorship until the budget has
been introduced after the Easter re-
cess. Should Mr.. Birrell, the chief
secretary for Ireland, be slated for a
change of Office it is an open secret
that John Burns, now president of the
local government board, would be
quite content to replace Mr.. Birrell as
head of the Irish office.
1t seems quite likely that Lewis
Harcourt, who is considered some
thing of an American because of his
American mother and wife, will be in
cluded in the new cabinet and the
name of Winston Churchill also fig.
ured in most of the new cabinet lists.
The elevation cf Churchill would in
volye an election from the Manchester
constituency, with considerable posi-
bility of defeat. which would necessi-
tate finding a Radical complacent
enough to give up safe seat to which
Churchill could be elected
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1908-04-07
UNEMPLOYED ASK AID.
Two Hundred Thousand Phiadel-
phians Out of Work.

Philadelphia, April THE city
council will be asked this week to ap-
propriate not less than $4,000 to re-
lieve the distress among the unem-
ployed and their families, according to
action taken at a meeting of unem-
ployed. A committee was appointed
to go before the council finance COM
mittee and impress that body with the
fact that more than 100000 persons
are out of work and that at least $780,
900 is needed to prevent women and
children from starving.
Though Mayor Reyburn has an
nounced that he had issued call for
meeting of the citizens permanent
relief committee to consider the prob
lem of relieving distress delegates at
the meeting expressed themselves as
being of the opinion that the relief
committee would not appropriate suffi-
cient money to help the majority OF
UNEMPLOYED
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1908-04-07
WOULD FORCE LEGISLATION
President May Veto Omnibus
Public Buildings Bill.

Washington, April 7.-Unless Pres
fdent Roosevelt gets approximately
the legislation he desires at the hands
of congress it is said on high authority
that he will veto the omnibus public
buildings bin which is to be framed
up this week. In that event there will
be pretty lively fight between con-
gress and the White House, which
will be precipitated when the naval
appropriation bill comes up. 1t is the
present programme of the Republican
leaders of the house to limit the ex-
tension of the navy during the cur
rent year to two battleships of the
first class type.
The president wants four and he
wants an anti-injunction bill and an
amended antitrust bill amending the
present Sherman act Prospects at
this time are not bright for any of
these measures at this late day in the
session. The house may pass an
amended antitrust bill, but it will
never get through the senate The
senate has passed the Aldrich cur
rency bill, but that measure is doomed
in the house
A private poll of the house has been
taken by the leaders and 1t develops
that more than half of the members
are opposed to the Aldrich bill.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1908-04-07
AGED shGPlCkER KILLED.
Finding Of Body at ST. Paul Followed
by Arrest of Murderer.

st. Paul, April 1.-Two weeks age
Fred Eschle aged forty-seven, said to
be an ex-conVict, murdered John Smo.
lensky, aged sevcnty-three, a rag
picker, blowing the top of his head of
with shotgun.
The murderer hid the body under
the floor Of the victims shack and
occupied the house afterward, eating
and sleeping in the home of the mur.
dered man.
The corpse was discovered Sunday
morning and Esckle was captured by
the police some hours later and made
a complete confession.
He pleaded that he was drunk when
he committed the murder, but the po
lice state that he killed the aged rag.
picker for his money.
Eschle admits knowing that Smo-
lensky had money, but denies that he
took over $40 from the body. The
money did him no good, for he was
robbed by p,ckpocket the Thursday
following the trap edy while drunk.