Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1849 Excerpt: ...rules for feeding are the same. Directions for putting the worms upon the bush. Take stalks of the late glutinous rice, make them smooth, and bind them about the middle, and then cut the whole ofF even about two feet long. Next take a bamboo bench and lay a coarse matting over it that will bear these whisks of straw set up on their ends. Now put the old worms inside a wide varnished tray, and with very clean hands take out the worms, and spread them evenly over the matting not too close, nor too far apart. Should it be rainy or cold, place a hot fire under the bench to warm them, whereby the cocoons will be sooner formed, and ready for unwinding. If fire is used, the cocoons will be easier unwound. In five days, select the cocoons, taking off the matted cover, and unwinding the silk; take great care not to let the worms become damp, for this will hinder their spinning. When the worms are sleeping, honor the patroness of silkworms by burning incense, and at the last sleep worship her with spirits, incense, candles, vegetables, and rice flour balls made into the shape of cocoons. Rules regarding the yuen tsan Jjj? or second brood of worms. This brood of worms is not always reared, partly because the leaves are few so late in the season, and to strip the trees a second time will injure them and lessen the next year's crop; and partly because of the many occupations of the season; but if the first brood fails, and there are leaves, this can be reared. Still more care and diligence in feeding and cleaning is to be pursued with these; they come to maturity in 21 or 22 days; exercise great caution against the blue-bottle flies and excessive hsat. The first brood in spring need heat, but those reared during summer require to be kept cool. Directions respecting the ...
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