. The California silk growers' manual / by Ewer. California Silk Culture Association; Silkworms. SILK GROWERS' MANLAL. 9 worms very quickly mount the twigs to feed and enjoy fresh air. If there should be any considerable number of ill-fed ones, or those who from any cause lag behind, the cocoons produced by them will be imperfect, and the entire lot will be reduced by the buyer to the grade of the imperfect ones. Especial care should be observed during the last three ages, or from the tenth to the thirtieth day of feeding. The consumption of food at that time is enormous, as will be seen
. The California silk growers' manual / by Ewer. California Silk Culture Association; Silkworms. SILK GROWERS' MANLAL. 9 worms very quickly mount the twigs to feed and enjoy fresh air. If there should be any considerable number of ill-fed ones, or those who from any cause lag behind, the cocoons produced by them will be imperfect, and the entire lot will be reduced by the buyer to the grade of the imperfect ones. Especial care should be observed during the last three ages, or from the tenth to the thirtieth day of feeding. The consumption of food at that time is enormous, as will be seen under the head of "Facts and Figures," given at the close of this discussion. The worms usually consume about their own weiglit in leaves daily, except when molting. THE MOLTING SEASON. The silkworm's life is divided into five ages; at the close of the first, second, third and fourth ages it molts, or casts its skin. At the the close of the fifth age it forms its cocoon. The first molting season comes on the fourth or fifth day after hatching. The worms at that time cease to eat, generally retire under a leaf or some litter, attach their hind legs to a branch or leaf by means of a gummy matter which they exude, and apparently fall to sleep. This is called their molting sleep, and during its continuance they must not be disturbed. At this time, and at each succes- sive molting, also when the worms are ready to spin the cocoon great care should be taken to prevent any cold draft of air from striking the worms. It is at this time especi- ally that thunder is apt to injure them. One great advantage which California possesses in the rearing of the silkworm is the absence of electrical discharges, wiiich cannot be avoided in other silk-growing regions. The worm should never be disturbed in any way, not even by cleaning or feeding during the molting season. After each period of molting the worms feed with increased greediness. The approach of the molting sleep may always be
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectsilkworms, bookyear18
