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SUMMARY ~

OF

THE PRINCIPAL CHINESE TREATISES

UPON THE '

CULTURE OF THE MULBERRY

AND THE

REARING OF SILK WORMS.

TRANSLATED FROM THE CHINESE.

WASHINGTON:

PUBLISHED BY PETER FORCE.

1838.

,

KNTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, IN THE YEAR MDCCCXXXVIII, BY P. FORCE,
IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

PETER FORCE, PRINTER,
TENTH STREET.

NOTE BY THE PUBLISHER.

This " SUMMARY" was, first translated from the Chinese, by Stanislas
Julien, member of the French Institute, and Professor of Chinese Litera-
ture, in the College of France, and printed at the Royal Press, in Paris,
by order of the Minister of Public Works, Agriculture, and Commerce.
The French copy from which this Translation was made, was transmitted
from Paris, to the SECRETARY or STATE, and by his recommendation
has been translated and published here.

WASHINGTON, February, 1838.

M182175

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Preface to the American Edition 5

Preface to the French Edition 11

Introduction to the French Edition 13

Advertisement of the French Translator 17

Note upon the Temperature of China 23

CULTIVATION OF MULBERRY TREES 27

General remarks 27

Different species of the mulberry 28

Manner of obtaining the best seed in order to reproduce the mulberry 31

Observations relative to the choice of mulberry plants 33

On sowing the seed of the mulberry 33

Method of transplanting dwarf mulberry trees 38

The favorable season for planting 41

Manner of raising mulberry trees 42

Of planting branches 44

Of pruning large mulberry trees 46

Method for sowing the seed of the mulberry 49

For planting dwarf mulberry trees 51

For planting mulberry trees in Autumn 54

For obtaining layers 56

For transplanting mulberry trees that are obtained from layers.... 56

Planting mulberry branches upon beds of earth 58

SUPPLEMENT to the cultivation of mulberry trees 67

Grafting of mulberry trees 67

Cleft grafting 69

Budding or inoculation 71

Manner of grafting small stocks ».. 72

THE RAISING OF SILK WORMS 77

Preliminary observations..... ; 77

Testimony from Chinese authors 77

A ~?

2 CONTENTS.

Pages

Construction of the silk worms' apartments 85

Construction of the oven 89

ON BATHING the eggs of silk worms 95

Different kinds of silk worms 96

Same subject 98

Preparation of the eggs to obtain a simultaneous hatching 99

Diseases the silk worms contract while they are in the egg 101

Hatching of the silk worms ; 105

Means of hastening or retarding the hatching 106

Choice of cocoons to obtain good eggs 306

FOOD for the silk worms 113

Feeding of the silk worms of four moultings 113

Of the autumnal worms 115

Preparation of the powder of leaves... 115

The flour of small green peas that is spread on the leaves after the third

moulting 116

Manner of feeding the hatching silk worms 116

Advantages of the raising in twenty-five days 116

Method for curing the silk worms of the heating they experience after the

last moulting 118

Necessity of cutting the leaves in thin shreds for the young silk worms,

and of spreading it upon them with a sieve 120

Method for diminishing the food, and hastening the moulting 120

Injurious things to the silk worms 121

Manner of feeding the silk worms according to their different ages 123

The heat that is good for them, hi the interval from one moulting to ano-
ther 124

The powder of mulberry leaves that is spread on the new leaves lightly

moistened 125

Method for hastening the changes of color in the slow worms, and dispos-
ing them to moult at the same time with those that are more advanced... 125
Another manner of feeding the silk worms according to their different ages,
and according to the changes of color they experience in the interval of

each moulting 126

Quality of leaves that are good for the silk worms , 127

Necessity of varying the temperature of the silk room according to the

different ages of the silk worms 128

Of raising the temperature when the silk worms have ascended the leaves
and are disposed to eat 129

DISTRIBUTION of the silk worms on the hurdle, and the sp?xe to be allowed

them... . 130

CONTENTS. 3

Pages

TRANSPORTATION of the silk worms 130

Cause of the disease, called in Europe muscardine 131

Proceedings to separate the silk worms from the dirt and litter, and to pre-
serve them from the diseases that cause their fermentation 132

REMOVAL of the silk worms after their first moulting 134

After their second moulting 134

After their third moulting 134

ENTRANCE of the silk worms in the cocoon room 137

Construction of the frames 137

How to warm them 137

Another method 138

Diseases of the silk worm in the cocoon room 140

ROUND COCOON ROOMS used in the south of China 141

Production of silk much more considerable in the north than in the south
of China, see page 147 line 8 143

OBLONG COCOON ROOMS used in the north of China 146

Advantages and inconveniences of the round and oblong cocoon rooms... 147
Cocoon room recommended by the author 147

CHOICE OF THE COCOONS 149

How to preserve the cocoons 149

How to select those for re-production 150

Manner of killing the chrysalides 152

Different methods of killing the chrysalides 153

Earthen jars used for keeping the cocoons 154

SUPPLEMENT to the Chinese treatise on the raising of silk worms 157

Eggs of silk worms 157

Bathing the eggs of silk worms 158

Precaution for preserving the eggs 159

Different kinds of silk worms 159

On bleaching yellow cocoons 160

Feeding of the silk worms 161

Things the silk worms fear 163

Mulberry leaves 163

Manner of cutting the branches 165

Of leaves that are injurious to silk worms 165

Diseases of the silk worms 166

Means of knowing the silk worms that are mature enough to spin 167

Formation of the cocoon rooms, called Chan-po 168

4 CONTENTS.

Page*

Harvest of the cocoons 170

Means of giving strength to the silk 170

-:„.;; r^?;-'

MEMOIR on wild silk worms, by P. D'Incarville 175

Notice on the ash tree of China, called Hiang-tchun 193

Description of plates 197

PREFACE

TO

THE AMERICAN EDITION

THE attention of the American People having been attracted for several
years to the culture of silk, with all its attendant advantages, both to indi-
viduals and as a source of national wealth, the following compilation,
from Chinese authors, made by authority of the French Government, it is
hoped will prove interesting, and not entirely unprofitable, to the yet
incipient serigene art in the United States. Notwithstanding the supe-
riority of the French in the arts and sciences, and length of time which
has elapsed since the introduction of the manufacture of silk into France,
(in the reign of Francis I,) the fact, of the great superiority of the Chi-
nese culture is frankly admitted by M. CAMILLE BEAUVAIS, the gentleman
at whose instance the French Minister directed this Translation to be
made from the Chinese works. Such is the strength of his testimony on
one point, that he asserts, " the Chinese lose in the rearing scarcely one
per cent, of their worms, whereas the French lose more than fifty" ! So
important is silk to the civilized nations of the globe, so many and various
are the fabrics wrought from this beautiful material, so familiarly known,
and of such universal consumption, that the manner of its production
cannot fail to be a subject of earnest inquiry and of interesting investiga-
tion to our enterprising citizens. It is well calculated to excite surprise
and astonishment, that the gorgeous velvet, the rich brocade, the transpa-
rent gauze, and the delicate blonde, should all have their origin from the
labors of an apparently despicable worm. The egg of this insect exceeds
not the size of a grain of mustard-seed, yet so amazing are the results

6 PREFACE TO THE

produced, that the proceeds of its industry actually constitute the chief
source of wealth of the most populous and perhaps the richest na-
tion of the globe. In the language of a French writer, " if the co-
coons (in China,) were collected together, they would form mountains."
" The two provinces, of Nankin and Chekiang, alone send every year to
the Court three hundred and sixty-five barks laden not only with pieces of
wrought silk, satins, and velvets of various kinds and colors ; but even
with rich and costly garments of the same material." For the long
period of four thousand four hundred and thirty-eight years, the Govern-
ment of China has extended its paternal care to the culture of silk : the
Empress herself setting an example to the peasant in the requisite labor.
Hence their proficiency, and the universality of the culture in the Chinese
Empire.

An important fact is gathered from the following Treatise : the culture
of silk is, with few exceptions, co-extensive with the growth of the mul-
berry, and that tree grows in every province of China, from the extreme
North to its Southern boundary ; and, perhaps, no tree is susceptible of
being more widely diffused. In Europe, not unsuccessful experiments have
been made near Stockholm in Sweden, Novogorod in Russia, and Bran-
denburgh in Prussia. It is true, all attempts to domesticate the silk worm
in England and Ireland have proved abortive ; but that is no doubt owing
to the extreme humidity of the climate. The Chinese work Nong-sang-
thong-kioue, says: " they [the silk worms,] like not wet leaves," and else-
where, "that moisture is exceedingly injurious to them;" which is verified
by the experience of England. For the same reason the culture of silk
in France, is limited to the Southern Departments, the Western being, like
England, too humid. It may be objected that the climate of the United
States is colder than that of Europe in equal parallels of latitude, and, con-
sequently, too cold for the culture of silk in the same degree; such is,
undoubtedly, the fact as regards extremes of temperature ; but Ave feel
assured, that from th^ superior dryness and heat of the summers of the
United States, and the perfect ease with which the mulberry is grown and
propagateoVjthat a great proportion of this country is better adapted to the
culture of" silk 'than even the Softlh of Europe. From experiments made
by the scientific and practical cultivator, Count Dandolo, in Italy, it is
satisfactorily ascertained that increase of temperature promotes the maturity
of the silk worms ; in other words, shortens their life and labor, without
lessening the quantity of silk.

AMERICAN EDITION. 7

It has been ascertained, by laying before silk worms at the same time
various kinds of mulberry leaves, they will eat first the white, next the
red, and lastly the black, in the order of the tenderness of the leaves.
The tartarian holds a high place in their esteem. The red mulberry,
morus rubra, the second in the order of preference, is indigenous to the
Middle and Southern States, and is remarked by botanists, as growing
from Virginia to Louisiana. Abundant experiments have demonstrated
that the white mulberry may be successfully cultivated still farther North
in the United States. The Chinese assert " that their mulberries grow in
all soils, and with every aspect ;" which, from the extreme industry and
sedulous care of that people, is not to be doubted. Early efforts were
made to naturalize the silk worms in the American Colonies by the British
Crown and chartered companies, in Virginia in 1662, and in Georgia and
South- Carolina in 1732. They failed, after some partial success. The
failure has been ascribed to various causes, such as the more profitable
culture of cotton and tobacco, the sparseness of population, the distant
market ; but in no instance that we have seen, has it been charged to
climate, ill success of the mulberry, or atmospherical influences, which
oppose so fatally the extension of the culture in Western Europe. From
a careful review of those early experiments, we are satisfied that the mea-
gerness of the population, and the distant market for their raw material,
were the effective checks to the prosecution of the silk culture in Virginia,
South-Carolina, and Georgia. The aspect of things is materially chang-
ed within the last century ; the wilderness is now a populous country —
the fifteen or twenty thousand inhabitants are many millions — the raw,
thrown, or manufactured silk would now find a ready purchaser or con-
sumer without crossing the Atlantic — and speedy remuneration be the con-
sequence to the grower.

At the hazard of prolonging these prefatory remarks to an inordinate
length, we think it not irrelevant here to give, in the briefest form possi-
ble, some general facts upon this subject. The value of silk imported
into the United States in 1836 was $22,862,177. The annual value of
silk manufactured in England is £14,000,000, or about $62,000,000. —
Four million pounds of raw and thrown silks are annually imported, at
about £1 5s per pound. France exported in 1824 manufactured silks to
the value of 100,000,000 francs, or about $19,000,000. Raw silk is sold
in France at twenty-two francs per pound, or about four dollars eighteen
cents. One pound of raw or reeled silk may be manufactured into six-

8 PREFACE TO THE

teen yards of gros-de- Naples, the nett cost of which will be £2 3$ 7d
sterling. From one ounce of eggs it is possible to obtain one hundred
and sixty- five pounds weight of cocoons: in Italy, one hundred pounds is
the average quantity. Each healthy cocoon, as it is gathered, contains
more than the seventh part of pure cocoon ; but the quantity of reeled
silk obtained seldom averages more than one twelfth of the weight. —
Two hundred and forty, to two hundred and fifty cocoons weigh one
pound. The proportion of mulberry leaves consumed to the pure cocoon
produced, is eighty-seven pounds to one; and the proportional weight of
mulberry leaf and of reeled silk is as one hundred and fifty-two to one.
The length of thread of a single cocoon is stated by different authors to
be from three hundred yards to six hundred and twenty- five. The weight
three and a quarter English grains. According to these data, which are
given more in detail in Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopaedia, it is found one
pound of reeled silk requires twelve pounds of cocoons; that rather more
than twenty-eight hundred worms are employed in forming these cocoons,
and that to feed them one hundred and fifty two pounds of mulberry leaves
must be gathered. This pound of reeled silk will make sixteen yards of
gros-de- Naples, ordinary quality, or fourteen yards of the best descrip-
tion.

In the history of this branch of industry the fact is developed, that in
every country, where it has been introduced, from the Celestial Empire to
Western Europe, the fostering care of Governments has been extended
and needed for the attainment of success. The art itself, in its infancy,
like the feeble insect whence it is derived and supported, appears inca-
pable of more than a sickly and unprofitable existence, without the aid of
superior intelligence, and superior care. The chronicles of a long line
of Chinese Emperors show their paternal solicitude, in their decrees,
wherein the Empress is enjoined to set an example in her own person to
the empire, by attending to the rearing of silk worms. Under the auspi-
ces of Justinian, and his peculiar care, the culture of silk was introduced
into the Roman Empire. It was at first a Royal monopoly ; but did not
long remain so; soon spreading to Greece, and particularly in the Pelo-
ponessus. Roger I, King of Sicily, after his successes in Greece,
transported a considerable number of captive silk- weavers from that coun-
try, whom he compulsorily settled in Palermo, and obliged them to impart
to his subjects a knowledge of their art. In such high esteem was the
manufacture of silk in Venice, that the business was considered a noble

AMERICAN EDITION. 9

employment, and might be practised without degradation by the aristo-
cracy. The introduction of the silk worms into France has been attri-
buted to Louis the XI, and to Francis I ; certain it is, however, that the
people of France made rapid progress in this pursuit under the fostering
care of the monarch, and timely and well devisfd bounties for the planting
and culture of the mulberry tree. Henry IV, in his letters-patent for the
establishment of silk manufactories in Paris, conferred titles of nobility for
success and perseverance. Nurseries of the mulberry were established,
and at first the trees were given away by the Government, unsuccessfully ;
but at length a more judicious plan was adopted. A reward of three livres
was offered to the cultivator, for every tree that should be found in a thriv-
ing condition three years after it had been planted. Thus stimulated, the
cultivation was eminently successful. The results are shown in the
modern statistics of France, and how amply the outlay of three livres per
tree has been repaid by the revenue accruing to the crown from the man-
ufacture of silk.

The experience of nations will not be lost upon the United States.
Her statesmen, her legislators, and her people are awake to the subject.
We have only to will it, to naturalize the culture and manufacture of
silk, and the time is believed to be not distant, when this important branch
of industry will be added to the resources of our national prosperity. The
present work has been translated and published as our humble mite to
the accomplishment of this great work.

WASHINGTON. February, 1838.

PREFACE

TO THE FRENCH EDITION.

THE Minister of Public Works, of Agriculture and Commerce,
has invited M. CAMILLE BEAUVAIS to write the Introduction which
precedes the Translation of M. STANISLAS JULIEN. No one was
more capable of appreciating the merit of the methods adopted in
China, for the cultivation of Mulberry Trees, and the rearing of Silk
Worms. Indeed, M. Camille Beauvais has already put several of
these methods into practice, and it is to the employing them that he
is indebted for the improvement introduced by him in this useful
work.

In the publication of this Translation, with the concurrence of M.
Camille Beauvais, the Minister of Public Works, of Agriculture and
Commerce, has wished to show him the value which he attaches to
his important labors, and to prove, at the same time, to those who
raise Silk Worms, that the methods adopted, with so much success,
by this learned agriculturist, are worthy of attracting their atten-
tion.

V./ A .1 V.1 4

INTRODUCTION

THE translation of a Chinese Work, which treats of a great branch
of industry established for a long time on our soil, is an enterprise
which will be variously appreciated. Whatever may be the opinion
of those who raise the silk worms, and of the learned persons who
will read this publication, I hope it will always remain as a testimony
of the superiority of the Chinese in all the practical details embra-
ced in the culture of silk, and the surprising results which they have
obtained.

Some minds, influenced by ancient traditions, will perhaps consider
this multitude of trifling attentions, which the Chinese lavish upon
the silk worms, as childish ; others will only see some proceedings
little different from theirs in appearance, or will say, that they may
be proper to the climate of China, and not be applicable in ours ;
and, perhaps, some persons will forget the work, after having read it.
But time and experience will, I hope, cause these natural methods,
these delicate attentions, these wise and multiplied precautions the
Chinese Authors recommend, to be appreciated at their just value.

It is easy to comprehend that an observing People, who invented
before Europe, the compass, printing, and gunpowder, and who for
forty centuries regarded the culture of silk as its principal source of
wealth, have brought it to a high degree of perfection, and we can-
not do better than go to the fountain head for new light and the
latest improvements.

If by a judicious application of the Chinese methods, we can
equal their success, the aspect of that branch of industry will soon
be changed in France. It will then assume a more stable character ;
the uncertainty now dreaded, will make room for a sure and regular
system, which will relieve the raising of the silk worms from the

1 4 INTRODUCTION.

grievous chances to which imperfect and variable methods expose
them every day. But to attain this end, and, by useful changes, to
demonstrate the importance of this work, time and long experience
are required. We ought to know, thoroughly, the spirit which pre-
sides in all the Chinese works, if we wish to naturalize them among
us, and to employ them with certainty, and with success.

We hope that the advanced state of science in France, will some-
times give us the advantage over the Chinese, in the application of
their methods. I will quote on this subject an interesting fact, which
is found in this translation. The Chinese convinced that the purity
and frequent renewing of the air are indispensable to the health of
the silk worms, have contrived a system of ventilation, which, though
it appears incomplete to us in some respects, yet presents several
traces of resemblance to that which we owe to M. Darcet.

The exterior air is made to enter by tubes, which are placed at
intervals,- and which can be opened even with the floor. When
the air of the silk room becomes foul, it escapes by small windows
made in the ceiling. These same tubes also serve to cool and re-
fresh the silk rooms ; they are to be shut when one wishes to ele-
vate the temperature.

Indeed, this system is far from equalling that of M. Darcet,*
which unites simplicity to energy, and offers the double advantage
of keeping a regular temperature, and of causing the air to circulate
in the silk room. But, however imperfect the ventilation practised
by the Chinese may appear to us, it nevertheless shows how that in-
dustrious nation has made efforts to insure the constant success ol
the silk culture.

I have already tried two Chinese methods, which have given me

* In establishing, by my desire, a simple and economical system of ventilation,
which now bears the name of its Author, M. Darcet has added a new and eminent
service to all those for which the arts are already indebted to him. The patriotism
and disinterestedness which this learned man has shown on this occasion, cannot
be too much praised.

The Minister of Public Works has had a certain number of models of that appa-
ratus executed, which have been transmitted to the Prefects, to be deposited in the
archives of those Departments, which were occupied more especially with the
manufacture of silks. (C. B.)

INTRODUCTION. J 5

the most happy results: the frequent feeding of the worms, and
their perfect uniformity, ought to commence at their hatching, and be
maintained with care during the continuance of their feeding. I now
consider these two customs, as acquired in the serigene industry,
(silk culture,) as an indispensable means of success. I have taken
the idea from a short memoir of P. d'Entrecolles, published by P.
Duhalde. Struck with this unexpected result, and seeing that the
abridged work of the learned missionary left many things to desire, I
have thought it necessary to have recourse to the Chinese Authors
themselves, to obtain more precise and complete information of the
silk worms and mulberry trees. I thought I ought to make the re-
quest of the Minister of Commerce and Agriculture to have two
chapters of a great Chinese work translated, which treats this double
question in a new and profound manner.*

The Minister of Commerce felt all the importance of a publi-
cation destined to improve one of our richest branches of industry,
and in order to prove his solicitude, he is eager to have the transla-
tion of the Chinese book printed at the expense of Government, for
distribution ; afterwards to the cultivators of silk, and the agricultu-
rists, who will find there the elements of new experience and useful
improvements.

To be assured whether the methods contained in this Treatise are
improved since its publication, which goes back nearly a century, M.
Martin (of the North) conceived the happy idea of sending a copy of
the manuscript Translation to M. Louis Hebert, one of my scholars,
whom Government sent a year ago upon the coasts of China, with
the special design of studying the methods of those countries, and of
bringing back any precious varieties of mulberry trees and silk
worms, which may be unknown to us.

This translation has been confided to Mr. Stanislas Julien, member
of the Institute, and professor of the Chinese language and literature,

* The translation of the Treatise on the raising of Silk Worms, has been made
in virtue of a decision of M. Passey, the 23d of August, 1836 : This is M. Martin,
(of the North,) actual Minister of Commerce and Agriculture, who has charged M.
St. Julien to translate the Treatise on the Cultivation of Mulberry Trees.

(C. B.)

1 6 INTRODUCTION.

at the College of France. It offered immense difficulties to a man,
who, by his literary habits, found himself completely a stranger to the
proceedings which he had to describe, and who met, for the first time,
with the greater part of the technical terms which explain them.
The raisers of the silk worms, and the agriculturists, will observe
the patience and sagacity required of M. Julien, to enter so intimate-
ly upon this subject, and exposing all the details with a clearness
and precision which one could only expect from a person versed in
that culture.

The original of that translation made part of a great and magnifi-
cent Agricultural collection, published by order of the Emperor,
where is given a summary of the most scattered works which treat
of the cultivation of mulberry trees, and the rearing of silk worms.
The Compilers have only reported faithfully the different methods
used in China, without seeking to show those which appear to them
the best, or to explain the contradictions which sometimes appear
there. These apparent contradictions will be easily excused, seeing
that the Authors of this work desired to make known the methods of
the different provinces, methods which are necessarily subordinate to
the wants of each locality to the advancement of its inhabitants, and
the difference of climates.

I should like, in terminating these reflections, to call the attention
of the reader to some important points of the Chinese work ; for ex-
ample, upon the manner of making the butterflies lay their eggs,
and of preserving the eggs ; also, of the means employed to make
them hatch at the same time. I will point attention, from the same
authority, to the disastrous effects which result from the sudden in-
troduction of cold and damp air in a silk room, where the tempera-
ture is high, as well as the fatal influence which is produced by the
fermentation of the leaves, upon the health of the silk worms. I
will add another fact, to give in a few words an idea of the incontest-
able superiority of the Chinese methods over the European : it is,
that they hardly lose one silk worm out of a hundred, while the Eu-
ropeans lose fifty out of a hundred.

CAMILLE BEAUVAIS.

ADVERTISEMENT

OF

THE TRANSLATOR

A STRANGER to the serigeue* industry, and to the science of
Agriculture, it does not belong to me, above all, after the Introduc-
tion of M. Carnille Beauvais, to speak of the practical advantages
which the Chinese work offers, and of which I now publish the
translation.

I will only present to the reader some details, purely literary, of
which, some will not, perhaps, be uninteresting. The Chinese, whose

* To characterize the industry which takes its source in the work on silk worms,
many epithets have been created in latter days, derived from the Greek or Latin,
of which the inaccuracy was the least defect. Mr. Henry Bourdon, has substituted
for it, with cause, the word sericifere (which produces the silk.) Without finding
fault with the expression made use of by this learned young man, I take the liberty
of proposing, in my turn, the epithet strigene, (produced by the silk worms.) It
is more concise, and can qualify with sufficient justice the industry, which is
the object of this translation. In fact, the Greek word, 2*j/> (ser) signifies the
caterpillar which produces the silk. £y,p* crxwX*?! ysvvZv TO (rnptxov : Vermis qui
producit sericum jilum. (Greek Dictionary of Hesychius, page 1176.) The plural
2 »?/>£$ is found in the same sense in the letters of the Emperor Julian, (Epist. 24 \
O< TTepa-ixoi (Typis : Persici bombyces sen vermesqui sericafila nent. (See the great
Dictionary by Henry Estienne, London edition, the word E^p?$.)

The termination gene, signifies born of, begot, produced by. It derives this
meaning from the Greek yevyg (in the compound adjectives.) I will quote here
the example A^o-yei/yjs O^va-o-sv?, Ulysses born of Jupiter, (Homer's Odyssey,
book v, verse 203.) Thus, from the Greek etymology the expression of the
industrious se'rigene signifies exactly the industry resulting from the silk worms,
produced by the (work of the) silk worms.

1& ADVERTISEMENT

literature is the richest in the world, possesses many hundred works
upon agriculture, which, among us, always comprises the raising of
Silk Worms and the cultivation of Mulberry Trees. They have
also particular treatises, such as the Tsan-chou, the Tsan-king,
(books on siik worms) ; the Nan-fang-tsan-chou, methods used in
the south ; the Pe-fang-1san-chou, methods used in the north of
China, the l-s&ng-tsong-lun, General Considerations upon the Culti-
vation of Mulberry Trees, etc. But among the twelve thousand
Chinese volumes which the Royal Library possesses, there are but
three works which treat in a manner more or less extensive of the
double question which occupies us. The first is a small Encyclo-
paedia of the Arts and Trades, in 3 volumes, 8vo., entitled Thien-
kong-Jchai-we, of which the second edition has appeared in 1636.
Brief proceedings are found there, which competent persons have
thought very interesting. I have given them the greater part in
the Supplement, (page 187-169.) The second work is found in an
agricultural collection of sixty books, entitled Nong-tching-tsiouen-
chou. It has been composed by Siu-kouang-ki, who, after having
obtained the degree of Doctor, occupied successively the most
eminent offices, and became preceptor to the eldest son of the
Emperor. We see in his biography,* that in the 35th year of the
reign of Chin-tsong (1607), he received lessons from a learned
European named Li-ma-tcou, (the celebrated missionary, Matthew
Ricci), and that he studied under his direction astronomy, mathe-
matics, in their application to the Chinese calendar, and the theory
of fire-arms. The Emperor Sse-tsong having heard that Siu-kouang,
who had just died, had left a great work on agriculture, entitled
Nong-tching-tsiouen-chou, ordered it to be presented to him by the

* Ming-s?^ (Annals of the Dynasty of the Ming), book CCLI, folio 15, imperial
edition, of twenty-four historians of the first order, in 700 volumes, small folio.
Peking, 1739.

OF THE TRANSLATOR. 19

nephew of the author, and ordered it to be printed at the expense of
the State.

The third work is entitled King-ting-cheou-chi-thong-khao, or a
General Examination of Agriculture, composed by order of the
Emperor. It is twice as extensive as the preceding collection, and
is composed of LXXVIII books, distributed in 24 volumes, small, in
folio, printed with all the care and elegance that distinguishes the
imperial editions. This compilation, undertaken a hundred years af-
ter, (in 1739,) in virtue of a special decree, by learned men of the
first order, aided by the most skilful agriculturists of the empire, gives
him a high importance. The extent of this work, its official char-
acter, and recent date, if compared with the two collections above-
mentioned, have made me resolve to extract from it the Treatise on
the Cultivation of Mulberry Trees and the raising of Silk Worms, the
translation of which the Minister of Commerce has intrusted to me.

If I was not afraid of being misled from my subject, I would make
all the objects known which this agricultural encyclopaedia embraces.
I will content myself to say that a complete treatise can be found
there, (books XXI-XL.) of leguminous plants, of grain, and particu-
larly of the cultivation of rice, accompanied by a number of figures
engraved with care, of which more than a hundred represent the
ploughing instruments of the Chinese, and the machines which they
make use of for the irrigation of the fields. The part which I
have translated occupies books LXXII, LXXVI.

The reader will be able to form an idea of the immense riches of
the Chinese literature, by learning that the agricultural collections,
entitled Cheou-chi-thong-kao, from which my translation is extracted,
made a part of the library of the most estimable works in China,
of which the publication was ordered in 1773, by the Emperor
Khien-long, and which, according to the decree of this prince, was
composed of a hundred and sixty thousand volumes. This collection

20 ADVERTISEMENT

was to form four libraries, called Sse-]cou. or the four Treasures.
It yet continues to be printed, and in 1818 there had already
appeared seventy-eight thousand six hundred and twenty-seven
volumes, of that vast collection.* There has been published by
order of the Emperor two accurate catalogues ; one very much
abridged, in fifteen small volumes, 12mo., (Peking, 1775,) and the
other very extensive in one hundred and thirty-eight volumes, 8vo.,
(Peking, 1782.)

* The following is a Catalogue of the bibliographic divisions in which are
distributed these 78,627 volumes.

CLASSICAL OR REGARDED AS SACRED WORKS.

(KING.)

NOTE. — The numbers that follow each article indicate the number of volumes
contained in all the works comprised in that division. The first, relative to I-king,
embraces 1,526 different works.

The Book of Variations (I-King) l,750vols.

The Book of Annals (CJiou-King) 661

The Book of Songs (Chi-King) 951

The Book of Manners and Customs ( Li-King), that is to say the

three Rituals entitled Tcheou-li, I-li, and Li-ki 2,168

The Chronicle of the Kingdom of Lou 1,818

The Book of filial Piety (Hiao-King) 17

Works relative to the interpretation of King 717

THE FOUR CLASSICAL BOOKS.

The great Doctrine, the Invariable medium, the Discourses of

Confucius and the Philosopher Meng-tseu 732

Works upon Music 482

Elementary Books 913

HISTORICAL WORKS.

Collection of the Histories of all the Dynasties 3,681

Annals, in Chronological order 2,066

General History 1,205

Particular Histories 1,485

Collections of Ordinances and Imperial Decisions 1,474

Biographies 949

Historical Documents 18

Descriptions of particular Districts 389

OF THE TRANSLATOR. 21

If the translation of this work had been executed at Peking, by
some missionary, surrounded by help of all kind, and aided by the
lights of Chinese literati, whom no difficulty could stop, it would
have been as irreproachable, as perfect, as that of an English work
written in London, with the assistance of the most enlightened men
of Great Britain.

The position of a sinologue in Europe, is far from being as advan-
tageous as that of these ancient missionaries of Peking, to whom we

Chronology : 29vols.

Geography and relations of voyages, descriptions of foreign coun-
tries 4,788

Administration and Government 392

Political Institutions, Laws, and Edicts 3,785

Bibliography and Inscriptions 700

Criticisms on particular histories 382

RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY, AND OTHER SCIENCES.

School of Confucius, Philosophers of 1,694

Military Science 153

Jurisprudence 94

Agriculture 195

Medicine .,...1,813

Astronomy and Arithmetic 643

Physic, Physiognomy, Astrology 432

Painting, Music, Printing, Dancing. 1,658

Natural History, Dieteticks, etc 363

Miscellaneous 9,200

Writings of an inferior order, such as marvellous histories 1,358

Bouddhique works 32

Works of the sect of Tao-sst 442

Poems of various kinds and Literary Collections 28,998

TOTAL GENERAL 78,627 vols.

These details have come in part from the Asiatic Journal of Paris, (July, 1834,
page 64 seq.) It would have been easy for me to translate from the great imperial
Catalogue the titles of other bibliographic divisions, adding thereto the numbers
which complete the collection of 160,000 volumes; but I have thought this notice,
incomplete as it is, will give a sufficient idea of the extent of Chinese literature,
and of the resources and materials of every species which it offers to the persons
who cultivate it in Europe.

22 ADVERTISEMENT.

owe so many useful works. It is necessary to struggle every moment,
and, perhaps, without help, against the difficulties of the most redun-
dant and complicated of all the languages. The obstacles infinitely
multiply, if the text to be translated be full of technical terms and
details, and if the difficulties of a subject which is strange to it, be
joined to the difficulties of the language.

Such are the difficulties I have met with, in the course of my trans-
lation, I hope they will serve as an excuse for the faults which have
escaped me, and that they will give me some title to the indulgence
of learned men, and men of the world.

STANISLAS JULIEN.
PARIS, 15th March, 1837.

NOTE

THE TEMPERATURE OF CHINA.*

IT is thought better to join to this publication some remarks upon
the temperature of China, to show in what physical condition the
Chinese are placed for the cultivation of mulberry trees and the
raising of silk worms: such is the object of the following note :

China extends from the 22d to the 41st degree of north lati-
tude; and, from its near situation to the tropic, the mean tem-
perature of this vast country seems to be superior to that of the south
of Europe, which ?«>ps at the 36th degree of latitude ; but, in the
Memoirs upon the isothermes lines, or upon the distribution of heat
on the surface of the globe, (Society of Arcueil, torn. III.,) M. de
Humbolcft has shown, from a great number of observations, that in
the s»me latitude the mean temperature was much more elevated,
in .Europe and Africa, than in Asia and America. Thus to limit our-
selves to China, the observations of missionaries and other travellers
have fixed the mean temperature of Peking at 12°, 7 centigrades ;
that of Nangasaki, Japan at 16° ; that of Macao at 23°, 3 ; that

* I owe the following Note to the kindness of Mr. Edward Biot, whom I have
the honor of numbering among my scholars. The Minister of Commerce, having
desired that I should unite to my translation some remarks upon the temperature
of China, has offered me the results of inquiries he has made on this subject. I
have accepted them with eagerness, convinced that his scientific knowledge hn»
furnished him the means of giving to these determinations all the exactness that
observations collected by travellers could have obtained.

24

NOTE UPON THE

of Canton at 22°, 9; and if compared with the cities of Europe and
Africa, where the temperature is analogous to that of those four cities,
the following table will be found :

Asia.

Latitude. Mean

Temperature.

Europe and
Africa.

Latitude. Mean

' Temperature.

Peking 39° 54' + 12°, 7

Nangasaki 32° 45' -f- 16°, 0

Canton 23° 8' + 22°, 9

Macao 22° 12' -f 23°, 0

Paris 48° 50' + 10°, 6

Lyons 45° 40' -f- 13°, 2

Montpellier 43° 36' -f 15°, 2

Toulon 43° 7' -f 15°, 8

Rome ...41° 53' + 15°, 8

Naples 40° 50' -f 17°» 4

Algiers 36° 58' +21°, 1

Cairo 30° 2' + 22°, 4

From this comparison it may be concluded that the mean tempera-
ture of Peking, and of the north of China, is sensibly equal to that
of Lyons, and more elevated than that of Paris, by two degrees.
The central provinces of China, between the Yellow and Kiang
rivers, being situated under latitudes little different from that of Nan-
gasaki, their mean temperature ought to be froiri 15 to 16 degrees,
or about that, of our Provence. The mean temperature of Macao
and Canton is more elevated than that of Algiers, by two degrees, of
which the geographical position is more northern by 15°. It ap-
proaches that of Cairo, which is situated in 30° of latitude, and
which is found farther north by 7 to 8°, than the two Chinese Cities.
But, it must be observed, with M. de Humboldt, that the tem-
perature of winter and that of summer, appears to differ much more in
Asia and America, than in Europe and Africa. Thus, at Peking,
after Amyot, who observed there, for six years, the mean temper-
ature of the warmest month is +29°, 1 ; the summer, like that of
Naples, whilst the mean temperature of the coldest month is 4°,
and the thermometer remains there for three months below zero, like
at Copenhagen, more north than Peking by 15° in latitude. Accord-
ing to the Dutch, at Nangasaki, in 32° of latitude, the temperature

TEMPERATURE OF CHINA. 25

of the warmest month is +30°, 5, as it is at Cairo, situated in 30°;
and the temperature of the coldest month is 5 to 8 degrees above
zero ; sometimes the thermometer descends to 3°, results which
correspond with the winters of Marseilles, situated in 43° of latitude.
At Macao in 22° of latitude, La Perouse has found -}-150, 5 for
the mean temperature of January, and which is observed equally
at Algiers, much more north than Macao ; and the mean tempera-
ture of the Chinese city being superior by 2° to that of Algiers, the
summer ought to be there sensibly warmer.

Recent observations confirm these variations between the tem-
peratures of winter and summer in China. Thus, in 1816, dur-
ing the return of the Ambassador of Lord Amherst, a series of
thermometrical observations made in the month of September,
between the 38° and 35° of latitude, give 23°, 58 for the mean
temperature of this month, and which is equally remarked in our
Provence. In 1820, at Timkowski, in Mongolia, in 40 to 45° of
latitude, in the month of October and November the thermometer
descended from 10 to 15 degrees below zero. A French Mission-
ary established in 1833 in East Tartary, at Si-wang, in 41°, 39' of
latitude, relates extraordinary differences between the temperatures
of summer and winter. According to him, the thermometer rises to
37° 5 centigrades in summer, and descends to 37° 5, below zero in
winter. " During this last season spirits-of-wine only remained liquid,
and when a metal is touched with moist hands, the epidermis of the
fingers remains attached thereto."* In conclusion, a useful remark
upon the temperature of the central provinces is furnished us by a
Missionary who has lived ten years in China, and which limits the
cultivation of the orange to the 30th degree of latitude, while in
Provence we have orange trees as high as the 43d degree.

From the data furnished by the original texts upon the production
* Annals of the Propagation of Faith, Nos. 40 and 50.
3

26 NOTE.

of divers provinces of China, and from the reports of Missionaries,
the greater part of the silk is produced in the central provinces of
China, situated between the 25th and 35th degrees of latitude ; and
it is well established by the preceding observations that the mean
temperature of these central provinces differs but little from our Pro-
vence ; the winters there are a little milder, and the summers rather
warmer.

The quotations in the commencement of the present translation,
indicate that the manufacture of silk extended, anciently, to the pro-
vinces of the north of China, and it may be presumed that it is not
entirely abandoned there now.

These provinces are, as we have seen, exposed to singular alter-
nations of cold and heat ; but the raising of silk worms commences in
April, and at that epoch of the year the air is sufficiently warm to raise
them throughout China. Their development may yet be aided by
the artificial heat described in the work. The cold of winter in these
provinces seems very rigorous, yet the mulberry trees do not freeze,
but we do not know every species of mulberry possessed by the Chi-
nese. When they shall be received, through the care of Mr. Louis
Herbert, whom Government sent a year ago to China, it is hoped
they will succeed in France, and that they will resist the cold of our
climate.

CULTIVATION

MULBERRY TREES.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Tckin-iu, being Governor of the province of Kien-te,
ordered every man of the nation to plant fifteen feet with
mulberries. [Annals of the dynasty of Liang ; biography
of Tchin-iu.']

The Emperor gave to each man twenty acres of land, on
condition of their planting fifty feet with mulberries. [An-
nals of the dynasty of Wei ; Memoirs upon Provisions and
Commerce.]

When the agricultural labors are terminated, or when
the rain prevents persons from working in the fields, every
thing must be taught relative to the cultivation of mulberry
trees. [Annals of Northern China; biography of Sou-
tcho.]

28 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

The Emperor Hien-teoifg, who ascended the throne in
the year 806, ordered all the inhabitants of the country to
plant two feet with mulberries in each acre of ground.
[Annals of the dynasty of T/iang ; life of the Emperor
Hien-tsong.~\

The first Emperor of the dynasty of Song (who com-
menced to reign in the year 960) promulgated a decree
to prevent the mulberry and jujube trees from being de-
stroyed. (The leaves of that tree may serve to feed the silk
worms.) [History of the dynasty of Song.]

An imperial decree says :

If, among the people, men are found who grub up the
uncultivated ground, and plant a great quantity of mulberry
trees, only the ancient tax will be exacted from them.
[Extract from the same work.]

DIFFERENT KINDS OF MULBERRY TREES.

1st. The small mulberry trees (dwarf trees) have long
branches, called niu-sang (ladies' mulberry trees) and
i-sang. [Eul-ya Dictionary.]

2nd. The yen-sang or chan-sang is the wild mulberry
tree, the mountain tree. [Same work.]

3rd. The tseu-sang or seed mulberry tree ; its fruit
shoots out before its leaves. [Japanese Encyclopedia, book
LXXXIV, fol. 1. ]

4th. The mulberry tree called khi-sang (that is to say,

chicken mulberries) have leaves veined with red ; they are

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 29

rather thick. The silk worms that are fed on them produce
a thin cocoon, which furnishes little silk. [Tchong-clwii-
chou.~\

5th. The white mulberry tree bears thick leaves, that
are as large as any one's hand. The cocoons of the worms
that are fed on them, enclose a strong and abundant silk.
This leaf furnishes twice as much silk as that of the ordinary
mulberry tree. [Ibidem.]

6th. The mulberry trees, of which the leaves are
plaited, and covered with a yellow pellicle, is called kin-
sang, or the gilded mulberry tree. All the silk worms
cannot be fed on the leaves of this tree, of which the color
foretells that the tree will soon dry and perish. [Ibidem.]

There are some mulberry trees that do not produce fruit ;
they are vulgarly called nan-sang or male mulberry trees.
[Japanese Encyclopedia.]

The mulberry trees, of which the fruit sprouts out before
the leaves, necessarily bears very few leaves. [Tchong-
chou-chou.~]

To sow mulberries, the fruit of the black mulberry tree
of Lou must be taken. The yellow mulberry trees of the
country of Lou cannot be preserved a long time. [Thsi-
min-yao-chou.']

The mulberry trees of the country of Kking (ancient
name of the province of Hou-kouang) and of the country
of Low, may be planted in level plains, where the ground
is limey and clayey, and also in light earth. If the ground
touches a mountain or hill; that is hard and mixed with red

30 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

are veins, it is only suitable for the mulberry trees of the
country of Khing. [Nong-sang-yao-tchi.]

The different kinds of mulberry trees are very numerous,
we cannot describe them all.

The best are those of the country of Lou, and of the
country of Khing. The mulberry trees of Khing yield a
great quantity of fruit, but those of Lou very little. Those
of which the leaves are thin, pointed, and divided in lobes,
are the trees of the country of Khing. They bear solid
and hard leaves.

The mulberry trees of the country of Lou have round,
thick, and juicy leaves.

The mulberry trees of which the branches and leaves are
large, and thick, are a species of those of Lou.

The mulberry trees of Khing have solid roots and full
hearts ; they last for a long time. Those are the kind to
be planted.

The mulberry trees of Lou have less solid roots, and
hearts not so full ; they cannot last for any length of time,
(dwarf mulberry trees.) Trees called ti-sang are formed
from them ; but the trees of Khing have neither as many
branches, nor as many leaves, as those of Lou. Branches
of the mulberry tree of Lou may be grafted upon them ;
they then live for a long time, and yield an abundance of
leaves.

If the mulberry trees of Lou be employed to obtain the
species of tree called ti-sang< (dwarf trees) and if they
be re-produced by twigs, they propagate without interrup-
tion, and last an infinite time.

The silk worms that are fed with the leaves of the mul-

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 31

berry trees of Khing, produce a firm arid strong silk ; it is
fit to make cha and lo-cha, (kinds of thick gauze and crape.)
The leaves of the mulberry trees of Lou agree with the
worms that are large ; those of the trees of Khing with the
small worms. [Nong-sang-thong-khioue.]

The work entitled Thsi-min-yao-chou, decribes the man-
ner of obtaining the best seed of the black mulberry trees.

The two ends of the mulberry must be cut off with a pair
of scissors, and only the middle part taken. The seed of the
two extremities are comparatively smaller than the others,
and if sown they produce little mulberry trees, called khi-
sang, (chicken mulberry trees) and hoa-sang, (flowering
mulberry trees.)

The intermedial part of the mulberry has larger and
harder seed. The trees that proceed from them have firmer
and stronger branches, and they bear thick and nourishing
leaves. [Nong-sang-thong-khioue.']

The mulberry trees called ti-sang (dwarf trees) ought to
be planted in a garden near a well. If grass springs up
around the roots of the trees, the earth must be turned
up with a spade. When it does not rain they must be
watered. When the silk worms are hatched they ought to
be watered three times a day ; the leaves will then grow
very quickly.

Among the different kinds of mulberry trees there are
some that sprout out early, others late. It is from among
the mulberry trees which are in leaf the earliest, that those

32 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

are chosen, from which the trees called ti~sang, or dwarf
mulberry trees, are formed. [Nong-tching-tsioucn-chou.']

In the work, entitled Tchong~hoa-min,h is read : There
are two kinds of mulberry trees : one bears the fruit of
which we sow the seed : it sprouts out in the first or second
month, (February or March.)

The following is the manner the other kind is multiplied :
A pliant branch is bent to the ground, and maintained
in that position by a clod of clay. Each bud produces a
branch. When this mulberry tree has attained the height
of two or three feet, its roots are then formed. The mother
branch to which it belongs is then cut, and it is transplanted
in another place. Jt soon becomes a tree. [Same work.]

In the memoirs of Hoang-sing-tseng, entitled, General
Considerations upon the Cultivation of Mulberry Trees, we
read :

There are some mulberry trees called ti-sang, (dwarf
trees,) they come from Nan-tsin. There are some mul-
berry trees called thiao-sang, or trees formed from lay-
ers ; they are brought from the neighbouring plains of
Hang-tcheou-fou, in the province of Tche-kiang. They
are sold the ten first days of the first month of the year,
(February.)

The market is situated at Pe-sin, near the bridge called
Kiang-tchang-kiao. The merchants come at the rising of
the sun, and spread out their plants of mulberry trees to the
right and left of the bridge. At 12 o'clock they retire.

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. ,33

OBSERVATIONS UPON THE CHOICE OF MULBERRY PLANTS.

The mulberry with a wrinkled bark yields only small
and thin leaves; those of which the bark is white, the joints
long, and have large buds, are the leafy trees of Chi, (dios-
pyros ;) they always bear large and thick leaves. The co-
coons spun by worms fed on them are firm, and furnish
a great deal of silk.

The tall white mulberries succeed well upon the declivi-
ty of hills, in the angle of a wall, or by the side of a hedge.

The mulberry trees of less height, with a black bark,
should be planted in moist ground. [Same work.]

The mulberry trees with black bark, which produce no
seed, when the leaves are not; too thick, are good for the
nourishment of newly hatched silk worms. (Same work.)

The trees of the country of Wang-hai, are multiplied
in the same manner as those with the white bark. The
tree called thse-teng-sang (or mulberry tree with rose-like
branches) grows high and strong.

The white mulberry tree, or the tree with white bark,
yields very little seed, it is multiplied by layers. If a per-
son has seed they can sow it, but it must be in the shade.
Heavy well filled cocoons will be formed, which will pro-
duce twice as much silk as the ordinary ones. [Same
work.]

THE PLANTING OF THE MULBERRY.

In the filth month, (June,) the mulberries must be gathered
and put into water. The pulp must be crushed with the
hands, and washed several times. When the seed is sepa-
rated, it must be dried in the shade.

Ten acres of fertile land, or what is better, land that has
5

34 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

not been cultivated for a long time, must be prepared. In
each acre three ching (kind of measure) of millet and mul-
berry seed, mixed together, must be sown. The millet and
mulberry trees ought to vegetate at the same time. The
mulberries must be dug, transplanted and arranged so as to
stand at suitable distances from each other. When the mil-
let is ripe it must be reaped. The mulberries have also
grown, and attained a height equal to the millet ; they must
be cut close to the ground, with a sickle, or a sharp scythe ;
leave them to dry in the sun, and when it is windy, burn
them. For that, it is always necessary to choose the mo-
ment when the wind blows from a favorable quarter.

The mulberry plants will shoot forth the following spring.
One acre will yield leaves enough to nourish the silk worms
of three hurdles. [Khi-ching-tchi-chou.]

When the fruit of mulberry trees, and the trees called
tche have come to maturity, the black fruit of the mulberry
trees of Lou must be gathered ; they must be washed the
same day in water, and the seed separated. They must be
dried in the sun, and sown in beds of earth, which should
be dug and watered, as if for the cultivation of the plant
called Koue'i, (mallows.) The ground should be constantly
weeded, and kept clear of noxious plants. The next year,
in the first month, (February,) the mulberry trees must be
taken up and transplanted, leaving between each plant a
distance of four or five feet. This operation can be done
equally, in the second and third months of Spring. The
ground must not be ploughed. Generally, the failure of
mulberry plants proceeds from the ploughing ; the iron of
the plough cuts and wounds the roots.

The seed must be thickly sown, because, notwithstanding

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 35

the great care that is taken with the cultivation, a great
number of the mulberry trees often die. The trees grow
slowly from seedlings in beds. To have them grow fast,
slips of the black mulberry tree must be taken. Those
persons that have no mulberry plants are obliged to sow
the seed.

The earth should be spaded about the mulberry trees,
and lo-teou (dolichos) and siao-teou (phaseolus radiatus)
sown there. For two years after having planted the mul-
berry trees, care must be taken, not to gather the leaves,
because the trees that have had the leaves taken from
them, when young, do not grow half so fast as the others.

When the mulberry trees are as large as one's arm, they
must be transplanted in the second month, to about thirty-
feet apart.

The trees of one row must not correspond with those of
another, otherwise they will injure the lo-teov, (dolichos)
the siao-teou, (phaseolus radiatus.) We will also add, that
if the mulberry trees were planted in regular lines, they
would constrain the movement of the plough.

The following is the time, when the layers ought to be
taken. In the first or second month branches must be
bent down, and fixed to the ground with hooks or forked
sticks. When these branches have pushed or sprouted some
inches, they must be surrounded with dry and well pressed
earth. If the earth is damp the young shoots will rot. In
the first month of the next year, (February,) the mother
branches must be cut and the roots transplanted. [Thsi-
min-yao-chou.]

Whenever a field of mulberry trees is ploughed, it must
not be near the trees ; the trees would be injured, and the

36 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

plough broken- In the places where the plough has not
passed, the soil must be turned over with a spade, the strag-
gling roots cut even with the ground, and the soil enriched
with the dung of the silk worm.

First sow the seed ; then plant the cuttings. The third
operation consists in arranging the mulberry trees in the
nursery. [Same work.]-

The twelfth month, (January,) is the most proper month
for the pruning of the mulberry trees. The first month,
(February,) is not so good ; the second month still less so.
In general, when there are many mulberry trees, they ought
to be pruned largely ; when there are but few, they ought
to be cut with a great deal of discretion.

The seed of the mulberries, before being sown, must be
washed with care, and dried in the sun, and then sown in
well cultivated ground. [7\hong-chou-chou.']

Instead of sowing the seed, to obtain mulberry trees, we
think it better to lay the branches along the ground, and
to transplant the twigs, when they have taken root.

The following is the mode of propagating mulberry trees
in Tche-kiang. They strip a branch of its leaves and plant
it in the ground ; that operation is called ki&sang* Then
the head is again covered (the superior extremity of the
slip of a tree) with a shell, for fear the rain, of the third
month, might injure the bark. After the second year, these
slips are strong and vigorous.

The nursery beds of mulberry trees must not be spaded
in the middle of the day. [ Tchong-chou-chou.~\

When the time for sowing has come, the seed must be
mixed with some ashes from the branches of the mulberry
trees, and they must be soaked to make them soft. The

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 37

next day the seed must be washed with care, and those that
float are rejected.

The full seed must be dried in the sun, until the absorbed
water has entirely evaporated. They can then be sown,
and they never fail to grow rapidly. [Nung-sang-thong-

The following passage is from the work entitled, S$&-
nong-pi-yong :

New seed of the mulberry should only be sown. Old
seed must not be used, because it is in a great measure
barren. The most advantageous method is to sow it in a
very shady square, or to cover it with a kind of small roof,
in the form of a tent. The shade of hemp is not so favor-
able, that of millet still less so.

Between each plant of the mulberry five to seven inches
must be left, and they must be frequently watered, until
they have attained the height of three feet ; then the hemp
must be cut.

In the tenth month, (November,) they must be cut even
with the ground, dry grass is then spread over them, and
the whole burnt over. The fi[e must not be too strong,
because it will injure the roots.

The place must be covered with decomposed vegetable
manure, until the following Spring ; afterwards the weeds
and grass so reduced to manure must be raked up, and the
plants watered. From each plant many shoots will come ;
the strongest must be preserved, and the others cut.

When the mulberry trees have good roots, they do not
require the shade ; they must be frequently watered.

In the autumn, the mulberry trees of Lou will be from
five to seven feet high, and those of Khing from three to
four.

The mulberry trees of Lou may be transplanted and

38 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

changed to dwarf trees. The trees of Khing can be
planted and raised in a garden. :>[-

To succeed in the cultivation of dwarf mulberry trees,
they must be restrained in their growth by the prescribed
rules, and care taken that they do not wither.

Those persons who have not large mulberry trees, con-
tent themselves with the dwarf. This kind of tree requires
but half the labor. Some persons have both the large and
dwarf mulberry trees. When the first are in full bearing
the others are abandoned.

The dwarf mulberry trees must be watered three times
a day, in order that they may grow rapidly. When the silk
worms have recovered from their great torpidity, (the third
moulting,) the mulberry trees sometimes cannot reproduce
leaves, recourse must then be had to the dwarfs. In this
manner the latter silk worms arrive at maturity without
ever wanting leaves. [Sse-nong-pi-yong.']

METHOD OF TRANSPLANTING THE DWARF MULBERRY TREES.

In a garden surrounded by walls, a piece of ground is
chosen, well cultivated with the plough and spade, and
in a square of ground, of five feet, a ditch must be dug on
each side, two feet in breadth and two in depth.

In one acre of ground two hundred and fifty cuttings
may be planted. In the bottom of the ditch, three ching,
(three-tenths of a bushel) of well-rotted manure must be
spread. Fresh manure will not answer. In a good soil only
a small quantity is required ; an equal quantity of earth must
be mixed with it, then a bucket of water poured in, in order
to make a soft compost. A plant of the mulberry tree of
Lou must be chosen, that has grown from seed, in the

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 39

squares of ground. Then it must be raised up by a spade,
with its roots ; seven inches of the stalk must, be left with
the root, and the rest removed ; then the wound must be
burnt with a hot iron.

In each ditch a plant must be placed in the middle of the
soft mud, and it must be carefully set at the bottom of the
cavity, (when a quick result is required two must be plant-
ed.) It must be lifted up lightly four or five times, in or-
der that the roots and fibres may take a good direction.
The top of the stalk must be even with the ground ; sur-
rounded and filled in to the top of the ditch, with well de-
cayed (or warm) earth.

The next day the earth must be pressed or rammed down
to make it more compact, until it fills but half the hole.
The earth lying under these roots is naturally compact ;
without that, the roots would not adhere strongly to the
earth, and this defect would cause a great many mulberry
trees to perish.

The upper half of the ditch must be filled with well de-
cayed (or warm) earth ; it must be lightly pressed down,
so as to level it and fill the hole.

The earth that touches the stalk must not be very
compact ; because the buds will have some difficulty in
pushing.

Above the stalk a small hill must be raised, made of
light earth, about five or six inches high. In this manner
a small gutter is formed around it, through which the rain
and the watering penetrate. When the shoots spring up
from the ground to the height of four or five inches, only
one or two branches must be left on each plant.

If they are spaded and watered according to the prescribed
rules, they will grow, in one year, to the height of about
five feet.

40 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

The next year, the branches must be cut even with the
ground ; the leaves serve to feed the silk worms. A steel
hedging bill, with a thick back, must be used, which cuts
the branch by a single stroke. The irregularities must be
smoothed, and the cut made even, when the instrument is
dull and cannot cut the branches by a single stroke. The
rain injures the roots. The stalk of the dwarf mulberry
trees must not come out of the ground ; they ought to
push from below the surface of the earth.

Those of which the stalks are above ground, are called
khio-kao, that is to say, as high as a foot. The branches
that shoot above the stalk are not strong, and moreover, it
is seldom that they are not injured and broken by the rain
and wind.

Below the cut place, several shoots spring around the
stalk. Four or five branches may be left to each plant,
and all the others pruned away. Every year the tree
must be cut even with the ground. By degrees the root
will become strong and vigorous; a greater number of
branches may be gradually left.

In regard to the stalks of wild mulberry trees of the
country of Low, they can be planted as the others ; they
succeed equally well with the others ; the above mentioned
rules are to be strictly followed. At the expiration of
three years, a mulberry tree will be in full growth ; at the
end of five years the roots interweave. The interlacing of
the roots is injurious to its vigor. In the spring the inter-
woven roots must be cut, and manure put at the root of the
tree. As soon as it has been watered, and moistened by
the rain, it resumes its growth and vigor. Afterwards,
when the roots are supposed to be enlarged, the branches
must be bent down to the ground, and plants are obtained
by layers, that must be transplanted to another enclosure,

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 41

and which are afterwards cultivated, according to the rules
we have already prescribed.

Three years after their planting, the new mulberry trees
spring up with vigor. When the branches of mulberry
trees are cut to nourish the silk worms, only one branch
above the foot of the old mulberry tree must be cut. It
is planted, and at the expiration of a year, it will have
taken root ; afterwards these plants must be taken up, and
carried elsewhere to form rows of mulberry trees. In this
manner the mulberry trees are propagated infinitely. But
when the branches of the mulberry trees of Lou are cut to
feed the silk worms, their thread has little strength and
suppleness. It would be better to plant, in a suitable pro-
portion, the mulberry trees of Kkingi; their leaves are
used to feed the silk worms, after the third moulting,
when the leaves of the other mulberry trees have failed.
[Sse-nong-pi-yong. ]

THE FAVORABLE SEASON FOR PLANTING.

Attention ought to be paid to the season, and the quali-
ties of the soil. The ten days that precede and follow the
period called Tchun-feu, (the 21st of March,) and the whole
of the tenth month, are the most favorable periods. In
the ten days that precede and follow the time called
Tchun-feu, (the 21st of March,) the trees begin to revive;
for that reason it is better to plant the mulberry trees then.
This is done, in countries situated to the east of Lo-yang,
in an extent of a thousand /£, (hundred leagues.) In other
countries their seasons ought to be conformed with. The
mulberry tree grows easily ; and its vegetative life is sus-
pended, and it ceases to push only in the eleventh month,
6

42 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

•/>•% *

r / ' • '

(December ;) all the other months of the year are proper
for that operation.

Hemp or millet seed must be thinly sown to give shade
to the mulberry trees. Every year, the third day of the
third month, (April,) when the weather is clear or rainy, it
will be easy to discern the good from the bad.

MANNER OF RAISING MULBERRY TREES.

In a garden, surrounded by walls, (or hedges,) a place
well cultivated with the plough, or hoe, must be chosen,
and a square hole, about three feet wide must be opened.

Liquid manure must be poured there, exactly like the
dwarf mulberry trees are planted, then a mulberry tree of
Khing, provided with all its branches, must be taken from
one of the squares where it has come from seed. It must be
raised up with its roots, by a spade, and planted in the
hole, in the manner above mentioned : after having pressed
and levelled the earth of the hole, with the surrounding
ground, a hill of light earth must be raised above each
stalk, to the height of one or two feet, and all around will
naturally be formed a circular gutter, (if it does not rain
it must be watered.) When the trunk of the mulberry tree
has attained the height of a tall man, the top of the tree
must be cut off, and the horizontal branches will then
grow more rapidly. Let it grow and extend itself, and
do not cut the new branches. In the spring they must not
be lopped, for after being cut, for several years the tree
will remain weak and unhealthy ; but in the twelfth month,
(January,) or the first month, (February,) of the follow-
ing year they may be pruned without injury.

If the tree has been watered and cultivated in a proper
manner, in Autumn it will be as large, and as high, as those

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 43

rafters, which are called tchouen. In the tenth month,
(November,) or in the Spring of the following year, the
mulberry trees may be transplanted, and arranged in the
nursery.

If this method be not followed, and the mulberry trees
are raised in a garden, there is a great deal of danger in
transplanting the young trees, to range them in the nursery,
for the wind and rain never fail to kill a great number of
them.

The wild mulberry trees of the country of Khing, of
which the stalk is not strong, can be transplanted with
their roots, in an enclosure where they will be cultivated
like those we have just spoken of.

They are to be cultivated according to the method pre-
scribed for the dwarf mulberry trees. When they fyave
pushed forth, the most vigorous branch must be left, and
the others pruned away. They will grow to the height of
a tall man. To raise plants of this species, the rules men-
tioned above must be followed.

When the fruitful influence of the Spring begins to be felt,
a lateral branch of the dwarf mulberry tree must be taken,
and cut from three to five inches from the extremity, and it
must be bent down in a furrow made at the foot of the tree.

Many persons make use of the plants of mulberry trees,
others bend down some branches in the ground ; that de-
pends on the cultivator.

The furrow where the branch is bent down ought to be
five inches in depth. The branch must be fixed in that po-
sition by a hooked stake. Two are required if the branch
be short, and three if it be long.

After that operation, the branches proceeding from the
buds shoot upwards ; they then have the form of the teeth
of a rake. Upon the horizontal branches only one bud

44 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

ought to be left, at the distance of about five inches, and
cut off all the others ; their leaves will nourish the young
silk worms.

In the fourth or fifth month, (May or June,) when the
weather is mild, about mid-day, the two sides of the hori-
zontal branch must be surrounded with rotten pond earth ;
a small hill above the branch must be formed Then the
horizontal branch becomes a torpid root. In the evening
it must be watered. (During the night the torpid root
shoots out fibres.)

In Autumn each sucker forms a stalk of the mulberry
tree. In the tenth month, (November,) and sometimes be-
fore, or after the beginning of the next year, the torpid roots
are cut at the two ends, and taken out of the ground ; pieces
about the length of a cane, must be cut, and thrust in the
vertical holes made for that purpose. Each root produces
a plant of the mulberry tree.

By this method an infinite number of plants may be pro-
cured.

MANNER OF PLANTING BRANCHES.

In a garden surrounded by walls, holes must be dug the
same as for the dwarf mulberry. When it is perceived
that black eyes commence to push upon the branches of the
mulberry trees of Low, with large leaves, a long branch of
more than a foot in length must be cut, the two ends must
be cut off, and the place of the incision burnt.

Plant in each hole, two or three of these branches, in-
clining them a little. When the buds come out, the stalks
must be surrounded by a hill of light earth, from three to
five inches high ; to each stalk only a single branch must
be left. In the Autumn it will be several feet high. The

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 45

following year the leaves of the branches may be gathered
to feed the silk worms.

These mulberry trees have only to apprehend the effects
of the mid-summer's sun. If they have moisture, (literal-
ly speaking, watering,) and shade, not a single one will
perish. They can also be planted in small squares of
ground, (arranged like the white squares of a draught
board.)

If, in the enclosure, there are no branches which can he
cut, a mulberry tree of Lou, with large leaves, must be
chosen from another place ; the required branches must be
cut in the last month, (January,) and preserved in a hole
made in the ground. If they be exposed to the air, they
will soon wither.

The time is waited for, until the black eyes of the branch-
es of the mulberry trees begin to push. The hole made in
the ground is then opened, and it will be perceived that
the eyes, of the branches deposited there, have also pushed.
The two ends of the branches must be cut, the place of the
cut burnt, and after having planted them, they must be pro-
ceeded with according to the rules above laid down.

The following is the manner of raising, in an enclosure,
the small mulberry trees, of the species of Lou or those of
Khing. In the last month, (January,) the extremities of
the branches that do not grow well must be cut. When
the plants are very small, three to five branches near the top
must be left, if they be rather large, about ten of the branch-
es near the top a foot in length, and all the others cut off.

In the following Spring, at the time when the eyes begin
to push, the plants must be bared, then taken up with the
roots and transplanted to spacious ground, in regular lines,
eight yards apart. The mulberry trees must be planted
opposite to one another, leaving between each plant a space

46 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRV.

/

of four or five yards. The distance of eight yards left be-
tween each row of mulberry trees, will allow the plough to
pass through them in like manner as four or five yards
space left between each tree will allow the ground to be
cultivated with a hoe.

This nursery must be surrounded with thorny hedges. In
the last month, the small scions which have pushed during
the year upon the horizontal branches must be thinned and
pruned in an uniform manner. The following year the
leaves of these trees can be gathered to feed the silk worms.
[ Nong-sse-pi-yong.']

MANNER OF PRUNING LARGE MULBERRY TREES.

The branches must be thinned, and above all, pruned in
time. It ought to be done in order that the branches may
acquire strength and push early, and that the silk worms
may not want leaves.

If the branches are cut off. those that remain will acquire
strength, and the leaves will become thicker and more nour-
ishing. If this year they are pruned at the proper time,
the long branches will become strong and vigorous ; the
leaves of the next year will shoot out early, and they will
be thick and glossy.

All the branches from the centre must be cut, so that a
man may stand up and easily make use of the axe. The
branches and leaves fall outside of the tree ; that is much
better, than to be obliged to remove all around the tree a
heavy ladder. A man thus placed in the centre of the tree,
can do as much work as two persons placed outside of the
tree. Too many branches must not be allowed to grow,
otherwise they cannot be cut without hard work ; moreover,
the leaves will be thin and destitute of taste.

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 47

Moreover, the art of properly pruning the mulberry trees,
is one of the most important points for the raising of silk
worms. Many persons do not know how to make before-
hand the necessary preparations when the cessation of agri-
cultural work gives them leisure. They only occupy, them-
selves with the mulberry trees, when the season of tending
the silk worms, has overloaded them with trouble. In this
manner they are overcharged with double work, and often
the silk worms want necessary nourishment. If on the con-
trary, these mulberry trees have been pruned, according to
the rules, so that the branches can be easily reached, and the
leaves obtained with facility, the silk worms will not wait
for their food, the leaves will come in proper time, and,
moreover, they will be thick and glossy.

The method used in the country of Thsin is called
lo-sang. In the last month of the year, (January,) all the su-
perfluous branches must be pruned away, and those that are
left be much thinned ; afterwards upon the branches that are
preserved, four eyes must be left, and the others picked off.
The next year the branches that were left will have become
strong; the black twigs which will have grown from the
middle of the eyes will be three feet in length ; the leaves
will be twice as thick as usual, and will present a smooth
and brilliant surface. During the raising of the silk worms,
they can be gathered with the hand ; the external branches
only, that shoot forth, must be left. After having grown
luxuriantly, until the Autumn, they will have obtained the
length of eight or ten feet. In the last month of the year,
(January,) they must be again pruned, as before. After
the expiration of several years, if the branches that have
been left appear to overload the tree, they must be pruned
at their base.

This method is followed in the country of Lo-yang, to

48 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

the east of the Yellow river ; but a different mode is adopt-
ed north of this river, in the province of Chan-tong.

When the mulberry tree has attained the height of five to
seven feet, from the period of its transplantation, the tops of
the branches must be cut. As the branches of the centre
have been removed, those that remain will grow in a hori-
zontal direction, and extend outward. When the tree has
become large and strong, a man can stand up in the centre.

When the tree has attained its maximum of strength and
growth, the stalk and the branches must be cut in the
centre.

There are three kinds of branches that must of necessity
be removed.

1st. The branches inclining towards the root ;

2d. Those which bend inward, towards the trunk ;

3d. Those which grow in pairs ; one must be cut ;

4th. Those growing in a good direction, but which are
too thick and too bushy.

The last month of the year, (January,) is the most favor-
able for pruning : the month that follows is less so. In the
last month of the year the sap is quiescent, and the cessa-
tion of labor in the country leaves much leisure to the cul-
tivators. Those persons who prune in the Spring, only do
it in order to peel them easily, (to make paper,) but that
causes the mulberry trees to lose a great quantity of sap.

Those persons who wish to make use of the bark of the
mulberry tree can take the branches, cut in the last month,
(January,) and deposite them, with a southern exposure, in
a hole, covered up with earth. They must be taken out in
the second month, (March,) and they then peel very easily.
[ Nong-sse-pi-yong.]

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 49

METHOD FOR SOWING MULBERRIES,

The seed of the mulberry must be sown in the fourth
month. Small beds must be spaded up, with a southwest-
ern aspect, and rotten manure, mixed with earth, must be
spread on them, then raked smooth and watered, in order
that the earth may be well saturated ; afterwards mulberry
seed must be sown. Some persons mix and sow them with
an equal quantity of millet seed. The seed being well
moistened arid softened with water will not be long in
germinating ; and they will be soon sheltered from the
rays of the sun. Some cultivators sow hemp seed in ad-
vance, south and west of the squares. The young mul-
berry trees are soon shaded by the hemp, and are thus
sheltered from the summer sun. When they have attained
the height of two or three inches, they must be watered in
dry weather. If the seed has not been sown with millet,
a small roof covered with mats may be constructed above
the plants. The mats can be spread during the day, and
rolled up at night. When the extreme heat has passed, it
is no longer necessary to shelter the young plants.

After the tenth month, (November,) the mulberry plants
and the stalks of the millet must be cut even with the ground;
then, at a favorable time they are to be burned over, and af-
terwards the ashes covered with manure.

ANOTHER METHOD.

( Wou-pen-sin-chou.)

In well cultivated ground, a bed of millet must be weed-
ed with care ; a large straw rope must be taken, and a
piece cut off, soak the two ends, (two or three inches of

7

60 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

each end,) in flour diluted with water ; or, what is still
better, water in which rice has been boiled. In the cen-
tre of each end of the rope, ten mulberry seed must be in-
serted ; afterwards the rope must be laid down in the mid-
dle of a furrow dug in the millet bed. The two ends of the
rope must be compressed and covered with clods of earth,
then a light covering of earth must be spread upon the inter-
medial part of the rope. One or two yards farther, another
piece of the straw rope must be laid down, continuing to
dispose of the pieces of rope in regular lines, in the whole
extent of the millet bed. It will be proper to water it after
a dry spell of weather. The tenth month the millet and
mulberries ought to be cut and burnt upon the place, and
the ashes covered over with manure, as we said before. In
the Winter and Spring they must be covered with snow,
that has been strewn with manure. Before or after the
period called Thsing-ming, (the fifth of April,) the manure
should be swept away.

During rainy weather the mulberry trees must be trans-
planted to proper distances from one another, as they were
sowed in the squares. This method saves much trouble to
the cultivator ; and powerfully favors the growth of the
mulberry trees, which, by this means, gain two years over
the others.

If a person has any seed from the preceding year, it must
be sown in the Spring, which is much better ; but afterwards
a small wall must be raised to protect the young plants.

Some persons fear giving themselves too much trouble
and embarrassment in making use of the straw ropes. They
mix an equal quantity of mulberry and millet seed, and sow
it in the half of a gourd. They* place it in a quarter of the
field that is cleared with care.

If dry weather is feared, a bed of the millet must be cho-

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 51

sen, and good earth spread there in an equal manner, made
in small squares throughout the whole extent of the bed,
then water and sow the seed.

ANOTHER METHOD.

Ill the Spring of the year, in well manured ground, trace
regular lines from the south to the west, sow hemp in an
equal manner. Afterwards mix mulberry seed with the
dung of the silk worms, or with the seed of torrified millet.
After rain plough that portion north of the hemp once, and
then sow. This is as advantageous as if a small roof had
been constructed, covered with mats, in order to protect the
mulberry plants sowed with an equal quantity of millet seed.

The mulberry plants are benefited by the shade of the
high and tufted stalks of the hemp, without depriving them
of the air and dew. When ten acres are sowed in this way
little labor will be required to succeed.

The dwarf mulberry trees are obtained from the trees
of Lou. Slips of the mulberry trees of Lou must be plant-
ed and cultivated, according to the rules we have described
above.

On the dwarf mulberry tree leave four or five branches;
it must be cultivated with the spade, and manured. The
branches not being very numerous, the leaves shoot out in
small quantities. The juice of a great number of leaves
unites in one. That leaf grows rapidly. That is called a
dwarf mulberry tree.

MANNER OF PLANTING DWARF MULBERRY TREES.

In Autumn, in well prepared ground, a piece of land must

52 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

be thoroughly ploughed and divided into small squares,*
which must be covered with manure and vegetable mould.

Before and after the time called Tchun-fen, (the 21st of
March,) the branches of the mulberry trees wrhich were
buried in the last month of the year, must be taken up.
Those whose buds have germinated, must be chosen, and
cut the length of seven or eight inches ; a furrow must be
dug in each square, they must then be watered, and laid
down to be planted ; afterwards cover them with three or
four inches of earth. If the earth laid upon them is too
deep, the branches will push with difficulty. The earth
ought to be pressed and levelled with one's hand.

Sow to the east, south, and west, of each square, from
five to seven seeds of hemp.

After the fifth month, (June,) the buds gradually push.
Manure must often be added. Some time after, when the
branches are high, these mulberry trees will have become
what is called dwarf trees.

When the mulberry trees are one or two years old their
sap is less abundant, and the stalk is necessarily very brit-
tle.

After the time called Tchun-fen, (21st of March,) the
squares must be opened, with a spade, the mulberry trees
taken up, and transplanted to some other place. In the
portion of the squares, situated to the north, a wall of earth
must be formed, at the bottom of which a hole must be
made with a dibble, and in each hole pour a certain quan-
tity of water. Then the plants of the mulberry trees must
be taken and planted, with the wall for a support. The
roots must be spread out in an uniform manner. Afterwards

* N. B. In another part of this book these squares are marked like those of a
draught board. The white are those to be cultivated, and no care is given to those
parts represented by black squares. ST. JULIEN.

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 53

the root of the young tree must be covered up again with
earth, well trampled on. The earthen wall, and the earth
of each square, ought to be raised about three or four inch-
es. In general, the roots of the plants, and small trees
newly planted, ought not to be shaken or agitated ; it is for
that reason earthen walls are made, to defend them from
the north wind, and to concentrate upon them the rays of
the sun. At the present day it often happens that when
the small mulberry trees are transplanted, having nothing
but their roots and fibres, not an inch of earth is left. But
it happens, when these plants are transported to a great dis-
tance, the wind and the sun drys up their vital moisture,
and when they have been planted it is seldom that they
grow again, or if they do, they never acquire any vigor ;
and then it is imputed to the nature of the soil, which is a
very great error.

When a great number of plants are dug up, and which
are to make a long voyage before being planted, they must
be placed in bundles of ten each, the roots watered with
liquid dirt, on which a thick covering of earth must be
spread ; then they must be carefully enveloped' in grass or
reeds. Before packing them, compact and well cemented
white clay can be applied around the earth that covers
the roots. Then the plants of mulberry trees must be
placed in the carriage-box where they will be sheltered
from the wind and sun. The stalks must be covered with
a straw mat.

Before replanting the mulberry trees, the square in which
they are going to be put, must be spaded, and manured. —
At the time of planting them they must be watered, and af-
terwards cultivated according to the rules prescribed above.

54 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

THE MANNER OF PLANTING MULBERRY TREES IN AUTUMN.

Mulberry trees are generally transplanted in the Spring ;
but, at that time of the year they are often shaken by the
wind ; the rains of the Spring, joined to the winds, make
it difficult for the mulberry trees to succeed. This is not
all : the weather becomes warmer by degrees, and the buds
and leaves cannot support the heat ; from these causes a
great number die ; or, rather, if they shoot out, a consider-
able space of time is required for them to acquire strength.
If the first stalk be pruned away, a second will push more
vigorously. The trees become flourishing from the first
application of the pruning knife. These happy effects of
pruning are, above all, remarkable in the dwarf mulberry
trees.

In the Southern countries the plants are planted in the
tenth month, (November,) but to the north of the Yellow
river, the climate is extremely cold ; for that reason it is
better to plant them in the Autumn. The most favorable
period for that operation is that of abundant rains. The
squares ought to be a foot or more in depth. One or two
inches of stalk must be left, above the level of the earth,
the remainder being removed. After having finished plant-
ing, the earth must be well trodden about the roots of the
trees, and the place of the incision must be covered up with
earth. When the ground is frozen, spread a quantity of
manure around it. After the heat of the Spring, a hill of
earth must be made in the form of a funnel, or inverted
cone, around each tree, and above the manure. Rain water
may thus be collected about the plants; and, if it becomes
dry, they can be watered in the interior. On the south side
of the plants hemp seed must be sown in the spring of the

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 55

year. By the time the rainy season has set in, the buds
will have produced bushy branches. Then you have the
dwarf mulberry tree.

Some persons cut the slender branches, and leave one or
two strong ones. The following year the mulberry will
become a tree. Other persons lay the branches down in the
ground, and, in that manner one tree produces ten others;
that method is better than if whole trees were planted. —
These layers never fail to succeed, and the trees they pro-
duce become bushy and flourishing.

In the tenth month, (November,) the vitality of the tree
is suspended ; it is better to plant the mulberry trees, by
covering the top with earth. The whole stem of the tree
must be cut away, and planted, as in Autumn.

In the winter months the sap descends. As soon as the
influence of the Spring is felt, they push together; and, in
the space of a year, the new shoots will exceed in height
the tree which furnished the cuttings or layers.

When the mulberry trees of two years old are planted,
if at the period called Kou-yu, (20th April,) there should
be some buds and leaves, showing little vigor, the bottom
of the stalk must be attached to something solid, and all
the superior part removed, only leaving some inches of
wood, above the level of the earth. A small hatchet may
be used, but it is better to use a very sharp hedging bill, or
pruning knife.

A hill of earth must be raised above the place where the
stalk has been cut; on the south side of the tree, five to
seven millet seed must be planted. At the expiration of
ten days the tree will begin to push, and small branches
grow from the buds. In dry weather water frequently.
After the time called Li-hia, (the 6th of May,) this method

56 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

should be discontinued ; it is equally impossible to continue
it in very hot weather.

In every month of the year, the mulberry trees can be
transplanted, except during the time called Ta-han, (which
commences the 2d of January, and ends the 4th of Feb-
ruary.)

MANNER OF OBTAINING LAYERS.

After the time called Han-chi, (the 5th of April,) a mul-
berry tree, more than two years old, must be taken ; a deep
furrow must be dug by the side of it, and the whole body of
the tree laid down and confined in that position by the help
of solid stakes. Small branches, which have germinated, are
left above the surface of the earth. Cover with earth the
large branches, and the stalk of the tree. All around the tree
a border must be made, with the earth, so as to form a kind
of funnel, to retain the water. In dry weather it ought to
be frequently watered. If a person has no tree fit for the
operation described above, they must be contented to dig a
furrow at the root of the tree, where the horizontal branch-
es must be buried, by fixing them in the ground, with the
assistance of crooked sticks. In the sixth month the whole
tree must not be buried.

MANNER OF PLANTING MULBERRY TREES OBTAINED FROM LAYERS.

Towards the end of Autumn, when the cultivators have
much leisure, deep square holes must be dug in advance,
where the earth preserves its dampness during the winter,

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 57

so as to diminish the work, at the period when the ap-
proaching new season requires all the mulberry trees to be
planted at the same time.

In each of these holes, which ought to be more than two
feet square and deep, spread two chings (two-tenths of a
bushel) of rotten manure, which has been well mixed with
earth. Raise the ground on the north side, and lower it on
the south, in order to retain the snow of Winter, and the
rain of Spring.

In the last month of the year, (January,) take two or
three large and long branches of the mulberry tree of Lou,
join them together, and cut the lower part; cut with a
sharp hatchet, and scar the cut, by passing it lightly through
the fire. Bundles are made of forty-five branches, and laid
in a hole, exposed to the south, care being taken to separate
each bunch by a bundle of rice straw.

The hole should be three or four feet long, and as many
deep. The holes ought to be dug before-hand, for fear of
experiencing many difficulties, if it be delayed until the
cold has frozen the ground to a certain depth.

Cover these bundles of branches with a thick bed of
earth. After the time called Tchun-fen, (21st of March,)
they must be taken out. Then open the first hole, pour
three or four chings (three or four tenths of a bushel) of
water in, and sow twenty to thirty millet seed there. The
branches must then be taken and bent down, (in the form
of a circle,) and tied in that position with a straw rope, and
covered up in the middle of the hole, and three or four
inches of earth put over. If by chance the buds of the
branches have pushed two or three inches, the surrounding
branches must be covered with a foot of earth. The earth
must then be well trodden, in order to make it compact and
8

58 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

$"• \

close, but small hillocks of light earth must be formed above
the growing buds. Some time after, when the buds will
have acquired a certain growth, the earth which surrounds
them will separate from them. On the south side of the
hole some hemp seed must be sown in advance ; the ground
must be kept shaded and damp. Water constantly.

As to the mulberry trees which have been planted by
laying down the whole tree, some earth must afterwards
be spread over them. The branches which proceed from
the buds will grow rapidly and soon attain considerable
height. The lateral branches must be cut, and after the
expiration of three years, these mulberries will have become
trees. Some persons who wish to have dwarf mulberry
trees, cut the extremities of the branches, and plant them
in the earth, so as to hide the top of the stalk. Two or
three must be tied together, and planted according to the
method described above. Other persons make a hole in a
radish and plant there a small bough, which borrows a
little nourishment and strength from it ; this proceeding is
yet more advantageous than the other. A small square
hole is then dug and the mulberry tree and radish are
buried there after the method already prescribed.

PLANTING MULBERRY BRANCHES UPON BEDS OF EARTH.

i r-n!:* w) fi'".,of> ilt'id J»:iJ-; fi<i;i:.j : : H ;:

In the Autumn, well manured ground must be prepared.
In the second month, (March,) it must be levelled. Form
the beds high, with an east and west aspect, having between
them proper distances. The ground must be dug, and the
square holes opened. Then take up the branches of mul-
berry trees that were buried in the last month, and plant

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 59

according to the prescribed rule. Sometimes the strong
and tall branches, having but one root, are planted in the
same manner.

When the branches are planted, in order to reproduce
mulberry trees, the new shoots may be cut largely, if there
are many old mulberry trees. But when there is but a
small number, it is to be feared that the following year the
silk worms will want food if the trees are cut without dis-
cretion. It is for that reason we give here the best methods
to direct the cultivator, who wishes to sow mulberries, to
make layers, or to plant cuttings ; it is for him to choose,
of these three methods of reproduction, which soever may
be most convenient for him.

Suppose a village, where two neighboring cultivators as-
sociate their work. They raise a small square enclosure,
having one hundred yards for each front of the nursery. —
(If the inhabitants be numerous, and possess much land,
the labor divided between them will be still less for each.)
Each cultivator will make two hundred yards of the enclo-
sure, the ground in the enclosure will contain ten thousand
yards. At every three feet a mulberry tree will be planted,
which will make ten thousand plants for the whole nursery,
and five thousand trees for each family. But if a family by
itself alone can make an enclosure of two hundred yards,
the ground it encloses cannot contain more than two thou-
sand five hundred yards. If the rule, indicated above, be
followed, and the mulberry trees planted at one yard distant
from each other, only two thousand five hundred plants can
be placed there.

When two cultivators are associated together, they ought
to endeavor to avoid all quarrels and law-suits. The best
way is to divide the nursery, in the middle, with a live
hedge.

60 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

This manner of cultivating the enclosure is much more
advantageous than by a single person. Thus, at first, dou-
ble the number of mulberry trees may be planted ; after-
wards their mutual assistance tends to lighten a great deal
the individual labor. \Nong-tching-tsiouen-chou.]

In the work entitled Sse-chi-lou'i-yao, we read : When
the mulberry trees are planted, it must not be at too great a
depth, otherwise they will not germinate. When they have
attained the height of one foot they ought to be surround-
ed with manure.

TCHONG-HOA-MIN.

Mulberry trees are planted in the first and second months
(February and March); they may also be planted in the
eighth month (September). The roots must be carefully
placed, in a straight natural position, and covered and sur-
rounded with compact earth to keep them steady. The
roots of the mulberry trees should be watered with liquid
manure ; they will not fail to grow with vigor. According
to the opinion of Siu-kouang-ki, manure must be used at
the time of planting.

When the mulberry trees are to be planted, the ground
must be weeded and manured. The pruning of the stalk
is called Kia.

Near the base of the tree branches of about one foot in
length must be left, and they must be deeply buried, leav-
ing only one inch above ground. The tree must be culti-
vated and made to grow by watering it. The place of the
cut turns black. It may be covered with a shell, or better
still, if done with wax, to prevent the rains of the fourth
month from penetrating the wood, and rotting it. The

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 61

ground ought to be manured all around the tree, so that its
roots may penetrate and extend themselves on all sides. If
the foot of the mulberry tree is only watered, it will soon
perish. It ought not to be watered with water only, liquid
manure should be mixed with it.

In two years after planting, the mulberry trees will be in
a flourishing condition. The part covered with earth ought
to be stirred every month with the hoe. Some persons turn
the earth up twice, to a depth of one or two feet. Then
the earth must be moistened with liquid manure, without
water. The ground all around the mulberry trees must be
watered, so as to reach the roots, that extend to a distance;
this practice must be continued until the gathering of the
leaves. After the lapse of three years, the mulberry trees
will sprout out with remarkable strength, If the vigorous
branches be not cut, and neither plants nor shrubs are left
near the mulberry trees, they will acquire new strength,
and the leaves that will be gathered for the raising of silk
worms will be luxuriant and healthy ; Soon after the
branches must be pruned away where they unite, and a
large space left around the trunk. Then the branches of
the following year will grow with more strength, and the
leaves will become thicker. If each year the superfluous
branches be removed in this manner, the others will become
flourishing.

The silk worms ought not to be raised in the Autumn. —
If they be, the branches of the following year will be weak
and delicate, and their leaves will be thin and destitute of
juice.

The roots of the mulberry trees must be surrounded with
manure, the dung of the silk worms, ashes of rice straw,
mud of canals, or with rich arid fertile earth. But at the

62 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

beginning of the planting, instead of the manures indicated
above, aquatic plants and cotton seed should be used. The
roots will be kept warm, and the tree will grow rapidly.

According to an author named Siu-kouang-ki, a paste of
beans, hemp, or cotton seed, of hog, sheep, cow, or horse
manure, may be used.

At the commencement of Spring the branches will grow
with rapidity. The small dried boughs must be lopped off.
When a tree is low and small, its roots must be opened, and
surrounded with mud ; without it, the leaves will grow
slowly, and they will become thin and destitute of juice.

When the branches are laid down in the ground to make
layers, they rot if the ground is damp ; but if the ground is
warm the roots soon grow. It is more advantageous to re-
produce the mulberry trees by layers than by seed.

There is an insect called sang-nieou^ that does a great
deal of injury to mulberry trees. Its nest must be looked
for in the cracks of the bark, and some oil of the tree thong,
(bignonia tomentosa,) poured upon it, the insect is immedi-
ately destroyed.

Some persons make use of the plant pou-mou-tsao, the
leaves of which resemble those of the bamboo. This plant
is boiled, and with the decoction the leaves attacked by this
insect are watered. Leguminous plants may be cultivated
among the mulberry trees.

The kind of tree called yang must not be planted in the
mulberry nursery. The cracks in the bark give refuge to
a great number of insects, which eat the epidermis of the
mulberry trees, and there place their nests where their eggs
will be hatched. Siu-kouang-ki says to the contrary, that
these trees must not be banished from the nursery of mul-
berry trees ; only great care must be taken to destroy the
insects they harbor.

CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY. 63

The mulberry trees of Wang-hai are planted in the same
manner as the white mulberry.

In the twelfth month, (January,) the ponds must be open-
ed, and the trees surrounded with manure ; that is to say,
their roots must be surrounded with muddy ground In the
second, and sometimes the third, sixth, and seventh months,
the mud with which the roots of the mulberry trees have
been surrounded must be removed.

The mulberry trees with rose-like branches, are of a spe-
cies that grow strong and high. It is not. necessary to prune
them in order that their branches may become thick. They
ought to be planted much sooner than the others. It is bet-
ter to plant them near the house, but it is not necessary to
surround the roots with pond mud. It is only when these
mulberry trees are young, they must be surrounded with
manure, before winter comes. Some persons manure them
two or three times. The twelfth month, (January,) is the
most favorable period for that operation.

In the work entitled Nong-sang-yao-tchi we read : When-
ever the mulberry trees have been newly planted, the branch-
es ought not to be cut, or the leaves gathered until the pro-
per time. The leaves which grow upon the long branches
from the middle of the tree must not be gathered. Leaves
of the lateral branches which have not been pruned must be
gathered, in order that the branches and the small boughs
may enlarge and become bushy. Then the mulberry trees
must be surrounded with a hedge to prevent cattle and other
domestic animals from browsing on the leaves, and from
shaking or pulling up the trees. Afterwards, when the mid-
dle boughs have acquired strength, the lateral branches may
be removed.

When the roots are strong and extended, the sap rises in

64 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

abundance, towards the boughs of the centre ; then the mul-
berry tree grows, and soon becomes a strong and tall tree.
It strengthens every day, and shows every sign of rich ve-
getation.

I

SUPPLEMENT

TO THE

CULTIVATION OF MULBERRY

SUPPLEMENT TO THE CULTIVATION

MULBERRY TREES.

GRAFTING OF MULBERRY TREES.*

In the work of Kouo-tko-tho, we read : If a mulberry
tree be grafted upon the tree of Kou, its leaves will be large
and thick.

OBSERVATIONS OF THE TRANSLATOR.

This tree is the same the modern naturalists call Brous-
sonetia papyrifera. The Abbe Grozier speaks of it in his
description of China in the following manner :

u This tree is so much more precious to the Chinese, be-
cause it furnishes them with a great quantity of paper, which
they consume. When its branches are broken, the bark de-
taches itself and peels off like long riband. To judge of the
species by its leaves, it would be thought a wild mulberry
tree ; but, by its fruit, it resembles more a fig tree. The
fruit adheres to the branches without a stem ; it produces
milk like the fig, if pulled before it ripens. Its resemblance

* We are not ignorant that the agriculturists of Franca are very superior to the
Chinese, in the practice of different kinds of grafting ; but we have thought, that
we ought to print this article, to presarve the original text in all its integrity.

[Sr. JULIEN.J

68 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

to the fig and mulberry trees may be the cause of its being
regarded as a species of sycamore. It grows on mountains
and stony places."

In the work entitled Sse-nong-pi-yong, we read :
It is advantageous to graft the branches of mulberry trees
of Low, (large species of mulberry trees,) upon stocks of the
trees of Khing, (Dwarf mulberry trees.)

In order that the graft may succeed, the time must be cho-
sen when the movement of the sap draws near, and with
strict regard to the parts brought in contact, and which must
be kept close together by the assistance of a strong ligature,
and enveloped with a thick plaster of grafting clay or com-
position, so that they may not be displaced or exposed to
the frost. The ten days which precede the term called
Tchun-fen, (21st of March,) is the first favorable time for
that operation ; the five days that precede or follow, form
the limitation (or the second period, which is less favorable
than the first ;) but the most favorable time is that when the
eyes of the branches have taken a black tint. This rule
ought to be followed in all climates; but clear weather and
a warm day is required. If the union of the parts be not
very close, the sap will find great difficulty in circulating
between the stock and graft ; if they are not bound together
by a strong ligature, the wind and cold will insinuate be-
tween them and prevent their uniting. The wild stocks
bearing small fruit of a disagreeable taste, after having been
grafted, will produce much larger fruit, and of an excellent
flavor. For similar reasons it has become the custom to
graft mulberry trees to improve the leaves.

SUPPLEMENT. 69

When grafts are wanted for use at a distance, they must
be cut in advance ; and the favorable season taken for cut-
ting the branches.

When the branches stored with buds, that are to be trans-
ported to a distance, are cut, they must be enveloped in reed
leaves, and packed in a new, unvarnished basket, with dios-
pyros branches. When the opening of the basket has been
well covered, and the grafts are perfectly sheltered from the
exterior air, they may be transported to a distance of a thou-
sand Us, (a hundred leagues) without running the risk of be-
ing injured by the cold. For fruit trees, grafts must be ta-
ken from the three year old branches ; the manner of pre-
serving and uniting them, (grafting,) is the same as with
mulberry trees.

Siu-kouang-ki says : For that purpose the best branches
are those of the same year ; it is an error to recommend for
that object branches of three years old. Grafting must be
deferred, absolutely, until the last quarter of the moon. —
This operation may be performed after the second quarter
of the moon, and during the first quarter of the following
moon ; but the last day of the moon is much more favorable.
The time between the first and the second quarter is unfavor-
able ; grafting must then, absolutely, be abstained from ; the
time of the full moon is still more dangerous.

CLEFT GRAFTING.

To begin : The stock must be sawed horizontally, at a
small distance from the ground. WTith a sharp knife, with
the point turned up, two oblique incisions about an inch and
a half in length, must be made right and left in the bark

70 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

arid liber, so that, approximating at their extremities, they
form an acute angle.

Then a graft, five inches long, and nearly as large as one's
finger, must be taken, and cut in the form of a prism for
about an inch and a half of the lower end. Warm it in the
mouth for a moment, then insert it in the cleft which has
been made in the side of the stock.

It is very important that the union of the two parts should
be precise, in order that the wood and bark of the old tree
may coincide perfectly with the wood and bark of the graft,
(which is destined to improve or renovate it.) The same
stock may thus receive several cleft grafts, when its size
will permit.

Take then fresh cow dung, well mixed with earth, and
envelope the graft ; afterwards it must be firmly wound
round with green bark of the mulberry tree. This is not
all ; the ligature of bark must be covered with the same
composition as before ; afterwards the graft must be covered
with five inches of moist earth ; finally, thorny branches
must be placed around the ball of earth to protect the graft.

When the new shoots have protruded through the damp
earth, and are one or two feet in length, all may be cut off,
except two or three, and these should be supported by props.

Siu-kuuang-ki says : The depth of the cleft should be
in proportion to the strength of the tree, and the size of the
graft. It is important that the bark and wood of the graft
coincide exactly with the bark and wood of the stock ; but
there is one thing more important still ; it is the perfect cor-
respondence of those parts which communicate the sap.

When large mulberry trees are to be grafted, it is better
to use the cleft graft, or the graft by insertion. For the
small mulberry trees, the best grafts are those like the ear of

SUPPLEMENT. 7 1

a horse* and by compression, namely, by budding. When
a tree is grafted even with the ground, it must be surround-
ed with clayey earth, as described above, and if it be a cleft
graft, to half of the height of the graft ; the cleft may be
covered with paper only ; afterwards it must be enveloped
with an old piece of mat. Place damp earth around to
nourish the graft ; it should be so done as to afford shelter
from the air and wind Instead of a piece of mat, an old
earthen vessel without a bottom may be used. Water when
the earth is dry, to preserve the proper humidity. Shoots
will soon push through the damp earth, which envelopes
the grafted place. Care must be taken not to remove this
earth ; but in the Autumn, when the shoots have acquired
strength, and the graft is firmly joined, this earth becomes
useless. As soon as the grafts are well set, and they par-
take of the life of the stock, they can be left, if the strength
of the tree, and the number of horizontal branches permit it.

BUDDING OR INOCULATION.

When budding is to be performed shorten a horizontal
branch to within about a foot of the stem. (The length to
be left, cannot be rigorously determined ; attention must be
paid to the strength of the tree.) Having selected a bud
or germ from the graft, enter the knife half an inch below
a bud, cut quite through the bark to the wood, separating
the bark to the same distance above the bud. A very thin
slip of wood is also taken with the bark and liber bearing
the bud.

Below the bud, and upon the wood, there is a small

* Query? Whip grafting.

72 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

heart (whicli agriculturists call corculum) as large as a
grain of rice ; it is the vital principle of a branch or limb.
When the bud is cut remove the wood only with the point
of the nail, leaving the corculum attached to the small plate
of bark and liber.

Moisten the bud for some moments in the mouth, and
then apply it upon the horizontal branch, where it leaves
an impression. It must be taken again, and held in the
mouth ; then with the point of the knife upon the line so
impressed, make an incision or scollop in the bark and liber
upon the stock of the same size with the bud, so as to bare
the wood. Then insert the bud in the place prepared for it
(upon the horizontal branch.) The bud or germ must be
turned upwards, that it is to say, in its natural position.

The grafted parts must be firmly bound above and below
with fresh and thin bark of the mulberry tree. The ligature
must be tied in a careful and proper manner. If it be tied
too tight, the circulation from the stock cannot be commu-
nicated to the graft ; if too loose, the two parts will not be
sufficiently compressed to adhere, and the operation will not
succeed.

Cow dung must be kneaded with clayey earth, and the
four sides of the graft covered with it, leaving the bud
free.

The number of buds will be in proportion to the size of
each stock.

MANNER OF GRAFTING SMALL STOCKS.

Grafting with grafts cut in the form of a horse's ear,
(that is to say, whip grafting,) may be performed. In the

73

nursery, upon the young mulberry trees of Khwg, (dwarf
mulberry trees,) planted the preceding year; their stocks
must be cut obliquely, like the ear of a horse, two inches
from the ground. Afterwards, a graft of the same size is
taken from a mulberry tree of Lou, (a mulberry of the
large kind,) cut it of a corresponding shape, (t?n oreille de
cheval) and fit it to the stock, and bind them firmly together
with soft fresh bark of the mulberry. The graft must be
covered with cow dung mixed with clayey earth, and the
grafted stock surrounded with damp ealth. When the buds
of the graft have pushed through the earth, one or two can
be left, and the others cut. In the Autumn they wijl have
attained the height of a tall man. The following year,
they must be transplanted to the plantation to cultivate
them there. The rules given above must be conformed
with. The graft must be absolutely of the same size with
the stock upon which it is engrafted. The bark and liber
must coincide exactly. (It is the most important point.)

In the work entitled Wou-pen-sin-chou, we read the fol-
lowing:

The fruit of all mulberry trees improve by grafting. —
Whenever the branches are to be grafted, the finest ought to
be chosen. It is better to make use of old branches, turned
towards the sun, (the south.) They are stronger and more
flourishing. The young branches exposed to the north are
weaker, and succeed with difficulty. The root and the
trunk each follow their species unchanged, though the
dwarf mulberry tree of Khing may be grafted upon the
large mulberry tree of Lou; the mei (plum tree) upon the
almond tree, and the peach on the pear tree.

There are five modes of grafting: 1st, grafting on the
body of the tree, (cleft grafting;) 2d, grafting the roots;
10

74 CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY.

3d, the graft in the bark ; 4th, the graft on the branches ;
5th, by budding, (scollop grafting,) inoculation or budding.
In the work entitled 1-sang-tsong-lun, we read :
The second month of the year is the time to graft. The
different methods are, cleft grafting, the graft by insertion,
scollop grafting, and the graft by budding or inoculation.

There is yet the graft called houan-tsie, or the graft of
exchange. This expression is applied to the operation
when the mulberry tree is grafted on the tree tchu-kou, (see
the commencement of the article on grafting ;) its leaves
become thicker and larger.

THE END OF THE CULTIVATION OF MULBERRY TREES.

RAISING

SILK WORMS

THE RAISING

OF

SILK WORMS.

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS

TESTIMONY FROM CHINESE AUTHORS,

WHO SPEAK OF THE CULTIVATION OF THE MULBERRY, AND THE
RAISING OF SILK WORMS, FROM THE MOST ANCIENT TIMES, (4438
YEARS AGO,) DOWN TO THE YEAR 976 OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA.

In the Book on Silk Worms we read :

" The lawful wife of the Emperor Hoang-li, named Si-
ling-chi, began the culture of silk."

It was at that time that the Emperor, Hoang-ti^ invented
the art of making garments.

OBSERVATIONS BY THE TRANSLATOR.

The same fact is mentioned, more in detail, in the Gene-
ral History of China, by P. Mailla, in the year 2602, be-
fore our era, (4438 years ago.)

"This great Prince, (Hoang-ti^) was desirous that Si-
ling-chi, his legitimate wife, should contribute to the happi-

78 PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

ness of his people. He charged her to examine the silk
worms, and to test the practicability of using the thread.
Si-ling-chi had a large quantity of these insects collected,
which she fed herself, in a place prepared solely for that
purpose, and discovered not only the means of raising them,
but also the manner of reeling the silk, and of employing it
to make garments."

It is through gratitude for so great a benefit, says the his-
tory, entitled Wai-Id, that posterity has deified Si-ling-chi,
and rendered her particular honors, under the name of the
Goddess of Silk Worms. (Memoirs upon the Chinese.
Vol. 13, page 240.)

It is written in the chapter lu-hong, of Chou-king, one
of the five canonical books of China :

" The mulberry trees may be planted, and the silk worms
raised."

OBSERVATION.

According to the annals of China, this chapter was com-
posed about the year 2205 before Christ, (4041 years ago.)
See the Chou-king, translated by P. Gaubil, page 45. [St.
Julien.]

It is written in the Book on Worms, one of the five
canonical books, chapter Pin-fong, ode 1 :

" In the month, when the silk worms are fed, (in the
fourth month,) the leaves of the mulberry trees must be
gathered."

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.
OBSERVATION.

79

This chapter was composed by Tcheou-kong, uncle to
the Emperor Tching-wang, about the year 1115 before our
era (viz : 2951 years ago). [St. Julien.]

We read in the Ld-ki, or Book of Ceremonies, (one of the
five canonical Chinese books,) in the chapter Youe'i sing :

" In the last Spring month, the young Empress purifies
herself, and offers a sacrifice to the Goddess of Silk Worms.
She goes to the fields, situated to the east, and gathers mul-
berry leaves herself. She forbids the noble ladies and min-
isters' wives all ornamental dress, and she dispenses with
the labors of her waiting-women, who sew and embroider,
so that they may be able to give all their attention to the
raising of silk worms."

OBSERVATION.

The Li-ki, (or Book of Rites,) from which this passage
has been extracted, was compiled by Confucius, whose birth
was 551 years before Christ.

The work we translate has many similar passages, which
relate to the fourth and eleventh centuries before Christ.
[St. Julien.]

In the work entitled Nong-sang-thong-kioue, we read :
" The place called kien-kouan, (or the house of cocoons,)
is that where the Empress herself raises silk worms. In
ancient times, there was a plantation of mulberry trees, be-
longing to the State, and a building called Tsan-chi, (or the
house of the silk worms,) which had the same destina-

80 PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

tion as that which is now designated by the expression, ki-
en-kouan, namely, the house of cocoons.

" The young Empress purifies herself, and offers a sacri-
fice to the Goddess of the Silk Worms, as an example to the
•whole empire, and to promote the general culture of silk.
The Empress repairs to a mulberry plantation. She first
cuts a branch ; an attendant, who holds a basket, receives
the leaves of the mulberry trees ; afterwards the Empress
cuts three branches A maid of honor, endowed with the
title of Chang-chou, (or President,) throws herself on her
knees, and says : It is enough. The attendant who holds
the basket receives the leaves, and carries them to the silk
worms. It is forbidden to carry the leaves of the mulberry
tree to that part of the palace called Ken-chi, or the golden
house."

In the history of the Emperor Hiao-wen-ti, whose reign
began in the year 163, before Christ, it is observed:

"By a decree the Empress was commanded to gather the
leaves of the mulberry trees herself, to feed the silk worms,
and to furnish the garments destined for sacrifices."

THE YEAR 156, BEFORE CHRIST.

The Emperor King-ti, made a decree, and commanded
the Empress to gather some mulberry leaves herself, in order
to set the example to the whole empire.

THE YEAR 48, BEFORE CHRIST.

The mother of the Emperor Youen-ti, visited the house

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 81

of cocoons, (or of the silk worms,) and followed by the
Empress and the ladies of the palace, she went and gather-
ed some mulberry leaves.

THE YEAR 58, ANNO DOMINI.

Under the reign of Ming-ti, of the dynasty of Han, the
Empress and her attendants raised silk worms.

THE YEAR 220, ANNO DOMINI.

Under the dynasty of Wei, the wife of the Emperor Wen-
ti, raised silk worms, in a place situated to the north of the
city, so as to conform to the ritual of the dynasty of Tcheou.
[Work composed in the tenth century before Christ.]

BETWEEN THE YEARS 265 AND 275 ANNO DOMINI.

Under the reign of Wou-ti, of the dynasty of Tsin, in
the years of Thai-khang, the Emperor built a house called
Tsan-kong, for the silk worms. The Empress went her-
self, to gather mulberry leaves, in order to conform to the
ancient customs of the dynasty of Han, and those of Wei.

BETWEEN THE YEARS 454 AND 457, ANNO DOMINI.

Under the dynasty of Song, the Emperor Hiao-wou-ti
had a house constructed for the silk worms.

The Empress gathered, herself, the leaves of the mulber-
ry trees, conformably to the usa'ge of the dynasty of Tsin.
11

82 PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

The author of the work entitled Nong-sang-lhong-kioue,
continues to quote some analagous facts, which he had
gathered from the history of the Emperors, from the years
of Thien-pao, (from 968 to 976,) of the dynasty of Song,
under which he lived, so as to show, that from the highest
antiquity, the Empress raised silk worms as an example to
the whole empire.

In the work entitled Tsan-lun, or Considerations upon the
Silk Worm, we notice :

" Every species of tree requires a particular soil, except
the mulberry tree alone, which grows every where ; and,
consequently, there is not a single place in the empire where
silk worms cannot be raised.5'

The book on worms says, in chapter Pin-fang, (compo-
sed about the year 1115, before Christ :)

" A young girl takes her elegant basket and follows the
concealed paths, to gather mulberry leaves."

By this passage it is seen that silk worms could be raised
in the country of Pin.

OBSERVATION.

The country of Pin corresponds with the territory of
which Si-gan-fou is now the capital, of the present province
of Chen-si, which is situated in the northwest of China. —
[St. Julien.]

In the ode of Tsang-tchong-tseu, of the same work, we
read : " Take care not to destroy our mulberry trees."

This passage shows that silk worms could be raised in the
country of Tching.

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.
OBSERVATION.

The country of Tching corresponds with the country of
Tching-tcheou, a dependency of the department of Kkai-
fong-fou, in the province of Ho-nan, which is situated in
the centre of China. [St. Julien/J

In the ode entitled Tche-sin, we read :

" The mulberry trees grow upon steep hills, and poplar
trees in moist valleys."

This passage shows that silk worms could be raised in
the kingdom of Tfism.

OBSERVATION.

The country of Thsin corresponds to Thai-youan~fou,
which is now the capital of Chan-si. That province is sit-
uated in the north of China. [St. Julien.]

In the ode entitled Jllong, we observe :

" The mulberry leaves have not yet fallen ; they are fresh
and abundant." (/bid.) " The mulberry leaves become
yellow and fall."

Also, in the ode entitled Sang-tchong :

" He made an appointment to meet me among the mul-
berry trees."

These two passages show that silk worms could be rais-
ed in the kingdom of W&.

OBSERVATION.

The country of Wei corresponds with the territory of
fVe'i-hot'i-fou, in the province of Ho-nan, which is situated,

84 PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

as its name indicates, south of the Yellow river. The Ho-
nan is situated in the centre of China. [St. Julien.]

In the ode entitled Hoang-i, we find :

" He cuts, he lops the trees, called yen, (wild mulberry
trees,) and tche, (thorny trees,) the leaves of which serve to
feed silk worms."

This passage shows that silk worms could be raised in
the country of Tckeou.

OBSERVATION.

The author continues to show, by quotations from an-
cient works, that silk worms could be raised in the country
of Tcheou, which corresponds with a part of the actual prov-
ince of Hou-nan, which is situated in the centre of China ;
in the countries of Lou and Thsi, (in the province of Chan-
tongy) in the north of China ; in the country of Thsou, (an-
cient name of the central province of Hou-kouang, of which
has been formed, under the present dynasty, the provinces
of Hou-pe and Hou-nan ;) in the kingdom of Liang, which
makes a part of the actual territory of Ho-nan, a central
province of China, and in the country of CAo, which cor-
responds with a part of the present territory of Sse-tchouen,
a western province of China.

The author thus terminates this article : " The five kinds
of seed may be cultivated, and harvests obtained, in the
coldest countries of China ; further, mulberry trees may be
successfully cultivated under any temperature whatever."

CONSTRUCTION

OF THE

SILK WORMS' APARTMENT.

In the Book of Rites, (written by Confucius, in the fifth
century before Christ,) it is observed :

" The Emperor and his vassals were obligated to keep a
plantation of mulberry trees, belonging to the State, and a
nursery for silk worms. It was established near a river or
brook of running water ; its height was about eleven cubits,
and surrounded by a hedge of thorny shrubs."

SAME WORK.

Lots were drawn by the ladies of the three palaces, and
the noble-women who were pure, and surrounded with hap-
py omens, thus chosen, were sent to the nursery, to feed the
silk worms, and occupy themselves with all the care of their
raising.

THSI-MIN-YAO-CHOU.

The windows in the four fronts of the building must be
opened, and paper pasted on them, to protect the worms
from the exterior air. In the interior of the silk room fires
must be lighted at the four angles.

8(3 CONSTRUCTION OF THE

SAME WORK.

In the third month, at the period called Thsing-ming<
(the 5th of April,) the women charged with the feeding of
the silk worms, are ordered to prepare their dwelling, and
to stop up the holes and cracks through which the air might
penetrate.

SAME WORK.

The silk worms naturally love repose, and fear loud cries ;
therefore, their house should be quiet, and exempt from all
noise. They love the heat, and fear the damp ; their apart-
ments should, therefore, be constructed of boards. In a
quiet and retired house they will not be troubled with the
cries and clamor of men. In a close house they will be
sheltered from the sudden south winds. In a house con-
structed with plank they will be sheltered from the exhala-
tions and damp vapors of the earth.

THE BOOK ON SILK WORMS.

The silk worms like an apartment with a mild temper-
ature ; on the contrary, the cocoons should be kept in cool
places.

WOU-PEN-SIN-CHOU.

The house of the silk worms ought to be distant from all
impurities, and every thing that exhales a disagreeable odor,
such as stables, cow-houses, &c. Care must be taken du-
ring the night, that no light may penetrate the windows, or
suddenly be shown, in the dwelling of the silk worms. Do

SILK WORMS' APARTMENT. 87

\

not extinguish, in the silk room, paper matches, such as
emit a great deal of smoke.

When the worms are newly hatched they fear the dust
made in sweeping. They are disturbed by crying and
weeping ; they do not like persons to come in their apart- ,
ments, who are not perfectly clean. For example : A wo-
man who has been brought to bed less than thirty days, or
who has her menses.

(That observation is drawn from another work upon the
same subject.)

SAME WORK.

Whenever the silk worms are raised in Autumn, the time
of their hatching is not distant from the three periods called
San-fo. (They fall in the middle of Summer.) The heat
(of the Summer) yet subsists, and as it occasions a great
deal of dampness in the apartments of silk worms, the ne-
cessary measures must be taken for the air to circulate free-
ly in every part of the nursery.

Ipl

01 'H<; f)iu

CONSTRUCTION OF THE OVEN.

In the middle of the house, a hole must be dug, of
which the size and depth must be proportioned to the di-
mensions of the nurserj. The ordinary size of this hole
ought to be four feet square. On the four sides, a square
brick wall, cemented with mortar, must be raised two feet in
height. COWT dung must be taken well dried, and reduced
to powder, and the bottom of the hole must be covered
with a bed of this powder, three or four inches thick.
Above, a layer of small pieces of dry wood must be spread,
at least five inches in diameter, which has been cut in the
last month of the year. Mulberry, acacia, elm, or any
kind of hard and solid wood may be used. Upon these
pieces of wood spread a second bed of dry and pulverized
cow dung. In the empty places, between each piece of
wood, the pulverized cow dung must be well beaten down
so as not to leave the smallest space ; for if an empty space
be left, the fire will produce flame, which may injure the
house, and besides, this fire would not last for any length of
time. When the hole is completely filled, and the pulver-
ized cow dung, that covers the pieces of wood and fills the
spaces between, is well pressed down, a bed of the same
matter must be spread on. Seven or eight days before the
hatching of the silk worms, live coals must be put on the
dry cow dung and covered over with hot ashes.

The dry cow dung takes fire, and emits for six or seven
12

90 ON REARING

days a black and yellow smoke. One day before the
hatching of the silk worms, the door must be opened to
dissipate the smoke, then carefully shut. From that mo-
ment the wood and the dry cow dung are completely on
fire, to the bottom of the hole.

When the silk worms are young, they like the heat and
fear the smoke, consequently a bright fire must not be made;
moreover, a smart fire sometimes burns with force, and
sometimes suddenly goes out ; it cannot constantly spread
an equal and uniform heat. But when the fire we recom-
mend is once well lighted, it does not produce any smoke,
and it can be preserved for one or two months without
being extinguished, or diminished. A mild heat is expe-
rienced without its being perceived that there is fire in the
apartment But if small branches be burnt, they will pro-
duce a smoke that will be spread throughout. It is neces-
sary to construct on the edges of the hole, a small square
wall of bricks, about two feet high, so that the heat may
ascend and penetrate to the middle of the apartment, and
spread there in an equal manner. This wall will serve
to prevent those persons who move round the silk room at
night, from falling unawares into the hole. The house
being constructed of dry and proper materials to receive the
heat, the partition walls will soon become warm. The
smoke proceeding from the pulverized cow dung, suffocates
all the insects which might injure the silk worms.

Cow dung diffuses a wholesome smell in the apartment
of the silk worms.

OBSERVATION OF THE TRANSLATOR.

The surface of the hole ought to be covered with square

' i

SILK WORMS. 91

tiles, pierced with holes, to facilitate the escape of the
heat.

The old paper employed to cover the windows, must be
replaced by white and perfectly clean paper. For fear the
heat will escape, care must be taken not to raise the win-
dow shutters, or the straw mats from the windows, or the
doors, during the time (he old paper is being pulled off,
and new pasted on. At the top of each window, place
four large window blinds, or screens, of firm texture. They
must be arranged in such a manner as to roll up or unroll
when wanted. (Sse-nong-pi-yong.) (

NONG-SANG-THONG-KIOUE.

When a nursery is wanted, for the silk worms, a house
must be constructed, exposed to the south. Above all, a
smooth and agreeably situated place must be chosen. The
best exposure is that exactly to the south ; that of the
south west is not so good, that of the east still less so.

If the house is old, it must be swept with a great deal of
care, and plastered a long time before it will be wanted.
If it is done a short time before the hatching of the silk
worms, the partition walls will preserve a dampness which
will be fatal to them. Some persons cover the house with
tiles, others with thatch. Timber and wood work must be
plastered within and without to prevent the danger of fire,
In the nursery, pillars must be placed, furnished with cross
pieces, to receive the frames. The windows must have
a large opening, to admit sufficient light to distinguish the
sleeping and the awakening of the silk worms. Above the

92 ON REARING

shelf, small dormer windows should be opened, to increase
the light of the morning and evening, when required.

Even with the ground, pipes, or air conductors, commu-
nicating with the outside, must be placed at regular distan-
ces, and arranged so that they can be opened and shut
easily. They will serve to dissipate dampness, or to expel
dangerous effluvia.

SAME WORK.

When persons wish to raise silk worms, they must at
first open a room, situated to the east, to feed the newly
hatched silk worms. They must be taken from this room
before and after their second moulting. The window turned
to the west, must be shut with care, because the rays of the
setting sun are particularly injurious to the silk worms.
The south west wind is very dangerous for the silk worms.
A row of trees, four to five feet distant, must be planted on
the outside so as to shelter them.

The author here employs many words to indicate the
place of the idols, and the practices of devotion, which must
be followed for the success of the nursery.

SAME WORK.

When persons wish to feed the newly hatched silk worms,
they must as first open a room with an eastern aspect. At
the four angles, concave niches must be constructed, (small
stoves) arranged like the three stars of the constellation of
the heart, that is to say, in triangularly, in order to distri-
bute the heat, in a uniform manner. The author adds, that
the smallness of the room allows it to be easily warmed.

SILK WORMS. 93

NONG-SANG-THSIOUEN-CHOU. \

When the silk worms are about hatching, they require
an extreme heat; at that time the air Is still cold. After
the third sleep (or the third moulting,) the silk worms re-
quire coolness. At that period the air is warm. Besides
the wind, rain, dull, and clear weather often comes on un-
expectedly ; the temperature of the morning and evening,
that of the day and night, undergoes great changes. If
under these circumstances, the proper measures are not
taken, the silk worms soon become sick. But all these
changes of the atmosphere may be guarded against, if the
rules we have described, above be faithfully followed.

All around the nursery, (that is to say, at each window,)
window blinds must be placed, which can be rolled up and
unrolled at will. In the middle of the room, a fire must be
lighted under ground. If the silk worms require heat, and
the external air be cold, the mats that cover the windows
must be let down, and the heat disseminated throughout
the nursery. Then the cold from without cannot penetrate
there, and a mild temperature is enjoyed throughout. But
if it be rigorously cold, it will be impossible to warm the
apartment, even by opening the doors of the oven ; clods of
dry dung must be lighted on the outside, and when they
are set on fire, and produce no smoke, they must be placed
at the four angles of the silk room. Soon a mild heat will
be spread throughout ; and as soon as the cold is dimin-
ished the rest of the burning lumps must be carried away.

When the silk worms require cooling, and the exterior
air is warm, the openings of the heated pipe must be shut,
and the window blinds raised up; then the interior heat
moderates, and the fresh air from without penetrates the

94 ON REARING.

nursery. If it be sultry, it will not be sufficient to raise up
all the window blinds to dissipate the heat. The paper
must then be removed from the windows, the small dormer
windows of the roof must be opened, and the air conduc-
tors also, which are even with the ground, and fresh water
must be sprinkled outside of the windows, and about the
bottom of the sash. A cool air will soon circulate in every
part of the nursery.

When that sultry heat is dissipated, the paper must be
again pasted on the windows, and the air pipes stopped up.
In this manner the silk worms are neither incommoded
with the heat nor cold, from the commencement to the
end of the season. They have very little sickness among
them, and the cocoons are as good as may be desired.
It is by observing these proceedings that all the success
of the raising of silk worms depends. But the cool air
must not be suddenly replaced by warm ; the fire must be
increased gradually. If the cold rapidly succeeds to heat,
the silk worms will become yellow and soft. When it
is too warm, a cool air must not be introduced suddenly
in the nursery ; the windows should be opened by degrees.
That precaution is necessary, for if the heat be suddenly
replaced by a cool air, the silk worms will turn white and
die. It is a serious danger, which should be known before-
hand, in order to remove the causes which give rise to it.

ON BATHING

THE EGGS OF SILK WORMS.

The old Dictionary Eul-ya, says there are three kinds of
insects which form cocoons: 1st, the Siang, or the silk
worms fed on mulberry leaves ; 2d, the Tcheou-iu, those
fed on leaves of the jujube, and trees called hoa and louan ;
3d, the Hang, which is fed on leaves of the plant called
siao.

In the chou-king, (one of the canonical Books of the
Chinese,) it is written : " The first day of the moon, of
the last Spring month, the Prince's wife washes the eggs
of the silk worms in the river."

ABRIDGED HISTORY OF THE KINGDOM OF OU.

In the district of Nan-yang, the silk worms form cocoons,
eight times a year.

KOUANG-TCHI.

There are several varieties of silk worms, the autumn,
winter, and wild silk worms.

96 ON REARING

YONG-KIA-KI.

In the district of Yong-kia, there exist eight species of
the silk worm :

1st. The silk worms called Hang-tckin-tsan, form their
cocoons in the third month, (April.)

2d. The silk worms called Tche-tsan, that is to say,
worms which are fed with the leaves of the tree tche, form
their cocoons at the commencement of the fourth month,

(May.).

3d. The silk worms called Hang-tsan, form their cocoons
in the fourth month, (May.)

4th. The silk worms called Ai-tchin-tsan, that is to say,
cherished and precious silk worms, form, their cocoons in
the fifth month, (June.)

5th. The silk worms called Ai-tsan, or cherished silk
worms, form their cocoons towards the end of the sixth
month, (July.)

6th. The silk worms called Han-tchin-tsan, that is to say,
cold and precious silk worms, form their cocoons in the sev-
enth month, (August.)

7th. The silk worms called Sse tchou-tsan, that is to say,
silk worms from a fourth laying of eggs, form their co-
coons at the beginning of the ninth month, (October.)

8th. The silk worms called Han tsan, that is to say, cold
silk worms, form their cocoons in the tenth month, (Novem-
ber.)

In the same work we read :

All the silk worms of the first kind, which mature twice
a year, (that is to say, those that lay eggs for a second pro-
geny the- same year,) are called Tchin-tsan, that is to say,

SILK WORMS. 97

precious silk worms. There are few persons that raise silk
worms called precious.

The worms of the fifth class, called Ai-tsan, or cherish-
ed silk worms, proceed from the eggs of the worms of the
third class, anciently called Hang-tsan.

When the silk worms (of the first class) called Hang-
tchin, have formed their cocoons, in the third month, (April,)
the moths appear, and their eggs must be collected. In the
seventh and eighth month, the eggs open, and the moths
are hatched. A great number of persons raise this species
of silk worm. They are called Hang-tsan, or silk worms
of the third class.

When silk worms called Ai-tsan, or cherished silk worms,
(of the fifth class,) are wanted, eggs of the worms of the
third class, called Hang-tchin, must be taken, and put in an
earthen vessel, the dimensions of which should be in propor-
tion to the quantity of eggs that are required to be preserved.
The opening of the vessel must be stopped up with paper,
then the vessel must be placed in a basin, filled with spring
water, in order that the cool air may delay the hatching of
the eggs. Thus the eggs must be left from three to- seven
days ; at the expiration of that time they hatch, and the
silk worms can be raised. They are called Ai-tchin, or
cherished and precious silk worms ; they are also named
Ai-tseu, or beloved children. They are of the fourth class.

When they have formed their cocoons, the moths come
forth and lay their eggs. Seven days after the laying of
eggs, they hatch and become silk worms. A great number
of persons raise worms of that kind. They are the worms
of the fifth class, called Ai-tsan> or cherished silk worms.

Care must be taken that the water surrounding the vase
be of the height of the eggs it contains ; for, if the exterior
13

98 ON REARING

water be raised above the line of the eggs, they will die, or
not be hatched. If the exterior water be lower than the
eggs, then they will not feel the cool air, and their hatching
will not be delayed. If their hatching be not prevented,
they cannot be preserved from three to seven days in the
vase. If they cannot be kept from three to seven days in the
vessel, when they hatch, they will fail to accomplish their
task, that is to say : they will attempt, in vain, to spin their
cocoon. When the moths have come forth, and the females
have laid their eggs, they cannot hatch at the end of seven
days ; these eggs will not hatch until the following year ;
but they must be deposited under the shade of a bushy tree.
Some persons put them in unbaked earthen vessels. They
hatch in from three to seven days, and the worms which
proceed from them succeed in forming a good cocoon.

TSA-HOTJ-HING-CHOU.

Thirteen varieties of silk worm are now distinguished :

1st. The silk worms which have three moultings, and
only hatch once ;

2d. The silk worms which have four moultings, and
hatch twice ; that is to say : those whose eggs produce a
second crop in the same year ;

3d. The silk worms with white heads;

4th. The silk worms called Hie-chi-tsan ;

5th. The silk worms of the country of Thsou. ( Thsou
is the ancient name of the present province of Hou-
kouang.)

6th. The black silk worms ; among them, some hatch
once, others twice. (See 2d ;)

:l

SILK WORMS. 99*

7th. Ash colored silk worms;

8th. The silk worms hatched from an Autumn moth ;

9th. The silk worms hatched in the middle of Autumn ;

10th. The silk worms called Lao-thsieou-eul-tsan, (lit-
erally, old towards Autumn ;)

llth. Silk worms of the last of Autumn, called Lao-
hitii-eul-tsan ;

12th. Silk worms called Kin-eul-tsan ;

13th, Silk worms that work in the same cocoon. Some-
times two, sometimes three silk worms, spin together in the
same cocoon.

In general, the silk spun by the worms, which moult
thrice, differs much from that of the worms which moult
four times.

HAI-NING-HIEN-TCHI.

On the night preceding the period called tsing-ming, (the
5th of April,) those who raise silk worms envelop the eggs
in a covering of cotton, and place it under them, in their
bed ; they think the natural heat of the human body, has-
tens the hatching of the silk worms.

SAME WORK.

The twelfth day of the last moon of the year (that is to
say, at the end of December, or in the month of January,
when there is an intercalary moon,) all those who raise
silk worms bathe the eggs in salt water, expose them to the
fumigations of the melongena, and envelop them in a
piece of rice ball. At the end of twenty-four days they

100 ON REARING

take them out ; they afterwards wash them in fresh water,
and wait for the coming of Spring.

SSE-NONG-PI-YONG.

The summer silk worms are of another species ; they
are vulgarly called San-tsan, or third silk worms.

The silk worms which are raised in the Spring, lay eggs
for the Summer ; those that are raised in Summer, lay eggs
for the Autumn ; those of the Autumn, lay eggs for the
Spring of the following year. None of these eggs must
be neglected, for otherwise eggs will he wanted for the
next raising.

SAME WORK.

The silk worms of Autumn, are also called Yuuen-tsan,
that is to say : second silk worms, or silk worms of a second
rearing. But in gathering the leaves to feed them, they
never fail to injure the tree. It sometimes happens, that
some misfortune from heaven destroys the Spring silk
worms, the raising of the Autumn silk worms cannot be
dispensed with, but must be done to repair the loss. But
the late crops are surer and more advantageous than those
of the commencement of the year.

Siu-kouang-ki, says : " The men of the present day do
not raise the Autumnal silk worms ; they are contented to
preserve the eggs of the Summer for the crop of the follow-
ing Spring. They succeed equally well."

The same author again says : " It is a very just idea to
say, the Autumn silk worms serve to repair the losses

-J

SILKWORMS. 101

which may have been experienced in the Spring, and to
supply the wants of the year. In the Autumn there are
many fine days ; consequently, the raising at that time pro-
mises more certain success, than that of the Spring. But
now-a-days we meet with people who say : the Autumnal
silk worms can no longer find tender leaves. We see that
they are totally ignorant of the powerful reasons which may
oblige them to attempt a rearing in Autumn, from the neces-
sity of sometimes repairing the losses which have been
experienced, and of supplying the wants of the year. When
the silk worms are raised in the Summer, or Autumn, care
must be taken to preserve them from the gnats and flies."

SAME WORK.

After the period called Thsing-ming, (after the 5th of
April,) the eggs commence to change. At first they assume
an uniform colour, and swell up; afterwards they grow
round and present a pointed side. Their centre resembles
the colour of willow trees, in the beginning of Spring. At
last they are 'transformed into worms, which have the ap-
pearance of small black ants. The worms which fold
themselves in a circular manner, and resemble a mountain
that is seen at a distance, are those which must absolutely
be preserved ; but those with flat heads, which are dry, and
appear as if they were burnt, as well as those of a sky-blue,
and yellow, or flesh color, must not be raised.

SAME WORK.

Some persons water the eggs with salt water. That
operation is called sien-tsan^ that is to say, baths of the silk

102 ON REARING

j

worms. The eggs thus washed, produce the best silk
worms.

The worms of which the eggs were not washed, are
called Ho-tsan, that is to say, ardent silk worms, (they are
those of Autumn.) They are less esteemed than the pre-
ceding.

In the work entitled Sang-tsan-tchi-choue, we read :
" Those who wish the eggs to hatch quickly, often unfold,
and roll up one by one, the leaves of the paper where the
moths have deposited their eggs. (This paper should be
manufactured of cotton, or the bark of mulberry trees.
According to the ideas of the Chinese, they banish from
the nurseries every thing made of hemp ; for example :
ropes and hempen cloth. Our European paper would be
very injurious to silk worms.) Those who wish to retard
the hatching, unfold the leaves at distant intervals, and
afterwards roll them in a tight manner, without leaving the
least empty space in the centre of the roll."

HOANG-SING-TSENG, SAYS

The twelfth day of the last moon, in December, or in
January, if there is one intercalary month, the eggs must be
soaked in salt water, and taken out the twenty-fourth day.
Then the silk will be much easier to wind.

ANOTHER AUTHOR, SAYS :

The eighth day of the last moon, the leaves covered with
eggs must be dipt in water where the ashes of the mulberry
branches have been boiled, or the ashes of grass. They

SILKWORMS. 103

must be taken out at the expiration of one clay. The
twelfth day of the second moon, a bath must be given to
the eggs, on the morning of the period called Thsing-ming ;
then they must be wrapped up in cotton paper, and deposit-
ed in the kitchen. Wait until the mulberry leaves are as
large as a tea-spoon, then envelop the eggs in cotton :
at night they must be covered with warm garments which
have been worn during the day ; in the morning they must
be wrapped in blankets. When the eggs are hatched, the
worms must be warmed by artificial heat ; but so long as
they are not out of the egg, they ought to be well taken
care of, and hatched by the heat of fire.

When it is desirable to soak the leaves of paper, covered
with eggs, the ashes of the mulberry tree must be used ;
the leaves should be moistened, and powdered with the
ashes. Afterwards they must be rolled and soaked in the
water where a certain quantity of salt has been dissolved.
If it be apprehended that the rolls of paper will swim, they
must be kept in submersion, by placing them under a china
plate. The paper ought to be taken out the twenty-fourth
day.

The leaves must be washed in running water, to remove
the ashes, or they may be washed in a basin. Afterwards
they can be newly hung up in the cool air, and the eggs
hatched in the beginning of Spring. If part of the eggs do
not hatch, they must be kept in darkness, and nothing more
is to be feared from a useless expense of leaves.

The twelfth day of the second moon, leaves of plants
called thsai and ye-thsa'i, blossoms of the leek, peach tree,
and white beans, must be taken. They must be crushed in
water, and afterwards the leaves must be bathed in it.

When the females lay eggs, they generally stop at the

104 ON REARING

end of one night. In the contrary case, the silk worms
produced by their eggs, cannot all hatch together.

«rtX

SAME WORK.

Many persons preserve the eggs of the silk worms, in
bamboo boxes, when they are exposed to all the changes of
the damp, tepid, hot, or burning weather. If they are sub-
jected, suddenly, from cold to excessive heat, they are affected
by it in a fatal manner. The inhabitants of the province
of Tche-kiang, call that Tching-pou. That expression im-
plies, that the silk worms contract a disease, when they are
in the egg, (literally, on the linen cloth, or on the leaves
of paper.) The worms of those eggs are yellow when
hatched : the worms hatched of a yellow colour, are not
worth the trouble of raising. They may be compared to a
child who has contracted a disease in the womb. At its
birth, it is weak and feeble. It is difficult to cure it of
this innate disease. In general, when one wishes to pre-
serve the eggs of the silk worms, the leaves must be spread
on bamboo boards, making it so as not to be exposed to the
wind or sun. Moreover, they must be covered with a silk
cloth to prevent butterflies, or insects from the cotton plant,
eating them.

Much snow may be expected about the first day of the
last moon, it may be in the course of the last moon. Leaves
covered with eggs are spread in the midst of the snow.
After one day they must be taken up, and newly spread on
bamboo boards, and covered as before with a silk cloth.

When Spring comes, the precise time when the eggs are
about hatching must be attentively observed ; powdered
cinnabar, must be taken, diluted in luke warm water, and

SILK WORMS. 105

the eggs dipped in that water. The water should be nei-
ther too cold nor too warm ; it ought to be kept at the tem-
perature of the human body.

SAME WORK.

Before the worms are hatched, the eggs should be
weighed, and the weight written on the back of the paper
to which they are attached. When the silk worms are
hatched, take care not to separate them from the paper.
There are many persons, who as soon as they see the
worms hatch, detach them from the paper, with a small
broom or quill ; but these little beings, as delicate and slen-
der as a hair, or a bit of silk, cannot support the wounds
given them with the broom or quill. The mulberry leaves
must be cut into extremely fine shreds, and spread in an
equal manner, upon a large sheet of paper. The side of
the paper, on which the worms are hatching, must be
applied to that which is covered with bits of the mulberry
leaves. The worms liking the smell of mulberry leaves,
descend themselves on the paper, destined to receive them.

Then the paper, on which the eggs were, must be newly
weighed ; the quantity of hatched worms will be known,
and it can be calculated how many leaves will be required
to feed them. It is much better to have more leaves than
are wanted for the number of silk worms to be raised.
Then an abundant nourishment will be had for the silk
worms, and one will not be exposed to the misfortune
caused by a scarcity of leaves.

There are many persons who do not make this calcula-
tion beforehand ; but when the leaves are about failing,
they find themselves reduced to the most painful extremi-
ties ; they pawn, or sell their effects to procure them.
14

106 ON REARING

They have the grief of seeing their silk worms tormented
by hunger ; the hurdles are strewed with worms that lan-
guish and die. Thus, by their want of forecast, they use-
lessly sacrifice the lives of a great number of these precious
insects.

NONG-SANG-TSI-YAO.

It depends on one's self to retard or hasten the changing
of colour, in the eggs ; but care must be taken to change
them in a natural manner, and not to compromit the life of
a silk worm enclosed in the egg.

When the leaves of the mulberry tree are grown, at eight
or ten o'clock in the morning, the sheets of paper must be
taken out of the vase, unrolled and hung up. There is no
rigorous rule to determine the progress of the eggs. Only
the first day, their color must be changed to three tenths,
the second day to seven tenths. Then the leaves must be
rolled, they must be put in a paper tube, with the two ends
well pasted, and they must be replaced in the vase. The
third day, towards twelve o'clock, the rolls must be again
taken out of the vase and unfolded. Their color will
then be completely changed.

NONG-SANG-PI-KIOUE.

The art of raising silk worms begins with the choice of
the eggs, and the preservation of the cocoons. Select in
the cocoon room, the cocoons that are turned towards the
light (that is to say, those from the top of the cocoon room)
such as are brilliant, neat, and of a firm texture.

SILK WORMS. 107

The moths which come out the first day, are called
miao-ngo (viz : grass moths. The latest of all, are called
mo-ngo, (that is to say: the last butterflies.) Neither of
them ought to be kept. Only those which come out after
the second day must be taken. The sheets of the paper
must be spread upon the cases of a shelf, then the males
and females come close together and copulate. When the
evening comes, the male butterflies must be taken away,
and the females must be placed on sheets of paper, leaving
an equal distance between them. The eggs which are
found in lumps, ought to be thrown out. When the females
have laid a number of eggs, they must be left on the sheets
where they are deposited and covered from three to five
days. When the sheets are hung up, the eggs ought to be
turned outward (read : in- ward) for fear the wind may
cause them to perish.

SAME WORK.

At the winter solstice, and the eighth day of the last
moon, the eggs must not be bathed in too deep a water.

After having dipped them, they must betaken out. The
fifteenth day of the moon (when it is full) several sheets
must be taken, covered with eggs and rolled together. Tie
them firmly with a string of mulberry bark, (or of cotton,)
and suspend them before the porch or vestibule of the house,
at the height of a long pole, in order that they may be ex-
posed to the cold which is felt at the close of the year.
After new-year's day the rolls must be spread out, and
placed upright in an earthen vessel. At the end of ten days,
when the sun is above the horizon, the leaves must be
taken out of the vessel. Whenever the weather has been

108 ON REARING

dull or rainy, they must be exposed to the heat of the sun,
as soon as they commence to hatch.

Such is the manner of bathing and preserving the eggs
of the silk worms.

WOU-PEN-SIN-CHOU.

'

At the time called ihsing-ming, (the 5th of April,) take
the leaves covered with eggs, which have been deposited in
an earthen vessel and transport them, sheltered, from the
wind to a room where a mild heat reigns, and suspend them
at half the height of the apartment.

At the time called kou-iu, (28th April,) expose the leaves
to the air and sun, but they must be inverted or turned
inside out. You must roll from left to right those that
were rolled contrarily, and you must roll from right to left
those that were rolled the opposite way ; every day you
must change and roll them in a different way from the old
one. After having sufficiently rolled and unrolled them,
you must put them as before in the vase.

When the time of hatching approaches, the leaves must
be carried to a room where they will be sheltered from the
wind and sun ; the silk worms will hatch all at once.

SAME WORK.

To make the silk worms descend, when hatched, there
are many persons who strike the reverse of the leaves with
a small stick of peach wood. When the worms have de-
scended, they gather the,m together with a small broom or
quill, put then in an envelope of paper and weigh them,
then spread them upon the hurdles. Afterwards, at the

SILKWORMS. 109

different periods of their existence, they experience dis-
eases which are frequently produced by that dangerous
practice.

When the worms are hatched, a bed of chopped straw
must be placed on a hurdle, where are likewise placed one
or two jujube fruits, cooked in the ashes. Before the
hatching of the silk worms, the leaves covered with eggs
must be weighed. After the hatching, the newly hatched
worms must be spread on the chopped straw, distribute
them in an equal manner, and very distant from one ano-
ther.

When the worms are all hatched, the empty leaves must
be weighed, and the exact quantity of worms to be raised
will be known.

If the rules we have just laid down are faithfully fol-
lowed, not one silk worm out of a hundred will be lost.

We see persons, at the present day, who deposite on a
single mat, worms proceeding from one or two ounces of
eggs ; they are heaped up, and pressed against one another.
The infallible result is, that they lose a great number of silk
worms.

When a person has newly hatched silk worms, the pro-
ceeds of three ounces of eggs, it is necessary to spread them
in an equal manner upon a large hurdle. Above all, do
not raise too great a number of silk worms, for, if your
means only permit you to nourish the silk worms proceeding
from three ounces of eggs, and, from cupidity, you attempt
to raise the worms of four ounces of eggs, you will soon feel
the want of space, hurdles, laborers, and fuel. In this man-
ner you will lose, at the same time, your silk worms, and
the expenses incurred in that unprofitable attempt.

110 ON REARING

NONG-TCHING-TSIOUEN-CHOU.

In the work entitled Sse-nong-pi-yong, we read :

" To make silk worms hatch, the degrees of heat and
cold, proper for them, must be known, and the manner of
hastening or retarding their hatching, in order that not one
may hatch before or after the others.

" The following method must be pursued :

" When the eggs have assumed an ash color, the leaves
covered with eggs must be united two by two, and extended
upon a clean frame. Afterwards they must be rolled up
tightly and the two ends tied with a pack-thread, (of cotton
or bark of the mulberry tree,) and the rolls placed upright
in a clean, cool room, where there is no smoke.

" The evening of the third day, the rolls must be taken,
unfolded, and extended on the hurdles. It is a very happy
circumstance if none of the worms are hatched. But if by
chance there are any hatched before the others, they must
be taken and thrown out. Afterwards the leaves must be
taken three together, rolled in a loose manner, and deposit-
ed in the room newly warmed for the silk worms. The
time of the rising of the sun must be attentively observed,
then the leaves must be unrolled, and spread, one by one,
upon hurdles in the middle of the yard. If there is any dew
the hurdles must be placed in a cool room, or under a kind
of tent. Some time after, the leaves must be transported
to a room prepared for the silk worms, and they must be
spread, one by one, upon hurdles placed on the ground. —
After a few moments the silk worms will hatch all at once,
looking like small black ants. There will not be one that
will hatch before or after the others. The hatched worms
must then be weighed with the leaves of paper, to know the

SILK WORMS. 1 1 1

number of silk worms to be fed, and to calculate, in advance,
the quantity of leaves which will be wanted."

SAME WORK.

When the newly hatched worms are made to descend,
they must be dealt carefully with, spread upon the hurdle
in an equal manner, and a proper space left between them.
Care must be taken not to wound them, or to press one
against the other. As soon as the worms are all hatched,
the fresh and tender leaves must be taken, and cut in very
fine shreds, with a very sharp knife ; then they must be
spread, with a coarse sieve, upon the sheets which are to
receive the silk worms, and under which a bed of chopped
straw must be previously spread. The cut leaves must be
spread in an uniform manner, in very light layers. After-
wards the sheets of paper must be taken, where the worms
newly hatched are, and they must be applied to the mulber-
ry leaves ; the worms descend themselves on the mulberry
leaves. If some worms are too long a time in descending,
or if they ascend upon the back of the sheet of paper, or if
they do not descend, when the leaf is turned over, they must
be thrown away, with the leaf to which they remain attach-
ed. They are diseased worms, that it would be impossible
to raise.

SAME WORK.

The success in raising silk worms depends on the precau-
tion which is taken in the beginning, and subsequently, not
to expose them to any danger. If the silk worms do not
revive all at once, from their first sleep, or moulting, it pro-
ceeds from their not having changed color, and not hatching

112 ON REARING, &c.

all at once. If they do not change color, and do not hatch
all at once, it is because the rules prescribed to preserve the
eggs, have riot been strictly followed.

SAME WORK.

v ;. i _ i f ,? .«...., „ :, > -».'•-, r/ ?

In the work entitled Thsin-kouan-tsan-chou, we read :
" The first day of the last moon the eggs must be col-
lected and watered with cow's urine ; afterwards they must
be washed with clean water. It must be so done that the
sheets of paper covered with eggs be not torn. (An author
advises to strengthen them with threads of cotton or silk,
basted at distances according to their length and breadth.")

FOOD FOR THE SILK WORMS.

KOUAI-KI-TCHI.

The greater part of the Spring silk worms have four
moultings, all the others have but three. The inhabitants
of the country of Youe express the idea attached to the word
mein, sleep (moulting) by the word yao, youth. Thus they
say : the first, second and third youth of the silk worms.

THE BOOK ON SILK WORMS.

Three brilliant colors are distinguishable in the silk worm:
When they are of a shining white, feed them moderate-

iy;

When of a dazzling blue, they must be abundantly fed ;

When their skin is wrinkled, it is a sign that they are
hungry ;

When they are of bright yellow, diminish, by degrees,
their food.

THSI-MIN-YAO-CHOU.

Whenever the silk worms are fed, the window blinds
must be raised up, and closed again when they have finish-
ed eating. The light excites an appetite in the silk worm,
15

114 ON REARING

(literally : as soon as the silk worms see the light they eat.)
After a plentiful meal they grow and become large.

THE BOOK ON SILK WORMS.

The next day, after the hatching of the silk worms, mul-
berry leaves, or leaves of tcke, dried in a well-aired place,
must be given to them. When they are about the twentieth
of an inch long, they will eat five times during the day and
night.

The ninth day they refuse food during one day and night.
This repose is called the first moulting.

Seven days after, they again moult, as the first time. —
When they have eaten some leaves and attained the length
of the tenth of an inch, they will feed six times during the
day and night.

Seven days after they moult as before.

Five days after they leave off eating. This abstinence
lasts for two days, (the sixth and seventh days ;) it is call-
ed ta-mien, or the great moulting. Then the silk worms
eat but half the leaf. They will feed eight times during
the day and night.

Three days thereafter they have a great appetite ; then
they will eat the whole leaf. They will feed ten times du-
ring the day and night. Before three days have elapsed,
they begin to work at their cocoons.

When the silk worms begin to feed, after each moulting,
leaves must be spread lightly over them. If the leaves are
thrown in upon them, sensations will be produced destruc-
tive to their appetite.

" !

SILKWORMS. 115

OBSERVATION BY THE TRANSLATOR.

The preceding extract relates to silk wcfrms of four moult-
ings, the raising of which lasts a longer time than that of
the ordinary silk worms, that is to say : silk worms of three
moultings.

HO-PI-SSE-LOUI.

When the silk worms lay down and remain motionless,
that repose is called moulting. During the time of moult-
ing they do not eat, either the mulberry leaves, or leaves of
the tree, tche. At the end of one day and night, they shed
their skins.

There are some silk worms which have three moultings,
and others four.

HOANG-SING-TSENG, SAYS

From the hatching of the silk worms to their third moult-
ing, cut leaves ought to be constantly given them. When
the ardent silk worms are fed, that is to say, Autumn silk
worms, they must be carefully watched. As soon as they
have eaten their leaves, give them more, for they will fall
sick, if they breathe the heat of the silk room fasting.

NONG-SANG-TSI-YAO.

Towards the end of Autumn, before the mulberry leaves
turn yellow, a large quantity must be gathered. They must
be dried and broken up in such a manner so as to be reduced
almost to powder. They must be preserved in a place

116 ON REARING

warmed try a fire that produces no smoke. They wll an-
swer the next year to feed the Spring silk worms, after each

of their moultings.

en i|£fl) .*>w< LJ if^gnoi n 8i£$£ mifiiw >ni on? «?,^ni

SAME WORK.

The eighth day of the last month, (January,) small green
peas, called lo-teou, (dolichos,) must be soaked in fresh wa-
ter. They must be spread on frames, not very thick, and
dried in the sun. Wash some clean rice in pure water and
dry it also. These green peas and rice must be preserved
in a shaded place. Flour made from them, will serve to feed
the silk worms, after their last moulting. It must be spread
equally on the leaves given to them for food.

SAME WORK.

Manner of Feeding the newly hatched Silk Worms.

The leaves of the mulberry must be frequently cut in
very fine shreds, and lightly spread over them with a sieve.
The food ought to be distributed without interruption. In
the space of one hour (two of our hours) four meals must
be given them, which makes forty-eight repasts in the space
of one day and night.

SAME WORK.

Food must be given to the silk worms without fail during
the day and night. If their repasts are multiplied, it will
necessarily result, that they will soon arrive at maturity ;
but if their meals are rare, and not numerous, they will
attain their growth slowly.

When the silk worms attain maturity in twenty-five days,
one frame or hurdle will furnish twenty-five ounces of silk.

SILKWORMS. 117

If in twenty-eight days, only twenty ounces can be obtain-
ed. If the time be one month, or forty days, one hurdle
will furnish but ten ounces of silk.

Those persons who feed silk worms ought to endeavor
not to sleep. Laziness has serious inconveniences.

Every time the silk worms are fed, all the hurdles must
be visited with the greatest attention. It is essential for the
leaves to be distributed in an equal manner. If the wea-
ther be dark and rainy, if the exterior air be cold, before
feeding the silk worms, dry branches of mulberry trees must
be taken, or rather a handful of rice straw, stripped of all
its leaves, fire must be put to it, and the flame put around
and above the hurdles in order to dissipate the cold and
damp which benumbs the silk worms. After that operation
they must be fed. In that manner they do not contract any
disease. The time of their general moulting must be ob-
served, and then the feeding must be suspended. After-
wards nothing is given them to eat, until they are all recov-
ered from their torpid state. If food is given them, when
there are. but eight or nine-tenths of them recovered, they
will not arrive, all together, at maturity ; besides, great num-
bers of them will be lost.

From the second to the great moulting, (the third moult-
ing,) when the worms assume a glossy yellow color, and
when they are disposed to moult, the nourishment must be
suspended, and they be transported to other frames. Af-
terwards, when they are all recovered, they must be slowly
fed, that is to say : they must have their repasts given them
at long intervals, and leaves must be spread on them in very
light layers. If the leaves were distributed too abundantly,
they would eat without appetite and become sick. Now,
as it is the food which gives strength and life to the silk

118 ON REARING

worms, the greatest attention must be paid to see that it be
suitable and possesses all the proper qualities. The silk
worms like not leaves saturated with rain or dew ; if they
eat of them the greatest number immediately fall sick.

SAME WORK.

When the silk worms recover from their great moulting,
(their third moulting,) the heat of the rooms must be dimin-
ished when it incommodes them. At that time frequent
meals must be given them. If a south wind blow, the
window blinds must be let down, and the straw mats of the
doors closed. At that moment they must be transported to
other hurdles. When the silk worms are spread on the
hurdles, the distance of one finger must be left between
each one. Then the small green peas, which were reserved
from the month of January, must be taken, and soaked in
a small quantity of water, until they germinate : afterwards
they must be dried in the sun, and reduced to powder.

The clean rice, which was also laid by in the month of
January, can be employed for the same use, after having
been boiled by steam, and reduced to flour. At the fourth
feeding, that flour must be spread in an uniform manner,
upon mulberry leaves. It will refresh the silk worms, and
dissipate the internal heat they feel at that period of their
age, and which is a mortal poison to them. The silk they
afterwards produce, is more abundant, easier to reel, and,
besides, it is stronger and more brilliant.

If there be but a small quantity of fresh leaves, the leaves
which were cropped the preceding Autumn must be taken,
pounded again and reduced to powder. The new leaves
must be lightly moistened, and the powdered leaves spread

SILK WORMS. 1 19

on in an uniform manner. Thus a want of leaves may be
supplied. The leaves of the plant called ou-kiu, (cico-
rium intubus ?) can also be used as a substitute for that
flour.

NONG-SSE-PI-YONG.

Same Subject.

Early in the morning, the roots of the mulberry trees
must be watered, and the leaves gathered soon after. If
they are watered early in the morning, the leaves will be
very juicy ; if they are gathered soon after having been
watered, they will not wither.

They must be cut in fine shreds with a well sharpened
knife, and spread in light layers, with a coarse sieve. If a
very sharp knife be not used, the leaves will loose their
juice ; if they be not cut very thin, they will cover and
overload the silk worms. If a sieve be not made use of,
they will not be distributed in an equal manner ; if the cut
leaves be not distributed in an equal manner, the silk worms
will not all eat an equal quantity.

The juice of the leaves is not very abundant ; at the ex-
piration of some time, it dries up; for that reason the leaves
immediately after the watering require to be sifted on the
silk worms.

The first day, two repasts an hour must be given them,
that is to say, about forty-eight repasts in the space of a
day and night.

The second day, thirty repasts must be given them, in
the same interval of time, and the leaves which are distri-
buted to them, must be cut a little smaller.

120 ON REARING

• The third day, only twenty meals must be given them
(during the day and night,) composed of leaves thinner than
the second day. They must be kept in great obscurity and
heat. Generally, the newly hatched worms require dark-
ness. When they recover from their sleep, or moulting, a
little light ought to be allowed them ; at a later period, when
they show a smart appetite, a great deal of light must be
given them.

SAME WORK.

Another Method.

As soon as the leaves are cut very fine, they must be
spread in light layers with a sieve. Four repasts must be
given by the hour, (two of our hours,) which makes about
forty-eight repasts in the space of one day and one night.
Some persons give but thirty-six in the same interval of
time. This is my opinion. The newly hatched worms
only feed on the juice of the leaves. If their repasts are
not multiplied they will resemble young foster children who
are deprived of milk from their infancy; consequently, they
never fail to be weak, pitiful and sickly.

Leaves full of juice, which have been gathered the pre-
ceding night, from the branches exposed to the south-east,
must be given them. These leaves must be kept apart, in
an earthen jar, and cut up very fine as soon as they have
been taken out.

SAME WORK.

Method for diminishing the Food and hastening the

Moulting.
When the silk worms are disposed to sleep, (to moult,)

SILK WORMS. 121

their food must be diminished in proportion to the degree
of yellow or white which their skin assumes ; the leaves
destined for their food, must be cut in fine shreds, and fre-
quently spread in light layers.

When the silk worms are completely yellow, they ought
to be transported, in succession, to other hurdles, without
caring whether the sky be dark or serene, if it be in the
morning or the middle of the night. When they have been
transported to other hurdles, the feeding must be suspended
until they have all recovered from their moulting, when they
may be fed again. This is called diminishing the food and
deciding the moulting. These two expressions imply, that
the nourishing of the silk worms, which are disposed to
moult, must be diminished, (care must be taken not to cover
or overload them with leaves,) and, on the other side, the
silk wrorms must be abundantly fed, (which are not disposed
to moult,) in order that they may quickly moult. Not only
will they all moult together, but they will be exempt from
diseases caused by the accumulation of leaves, and the in-
ternal heat which consequently follows.

NONG-SANG-THONG-KIOUE.

The silk worms may be found in ten different situations :
They may be cold or hot, starved or satiated, sufficiently far
apart, or too near together, asleep or awake ; they may eat

slowly or with appetite.

\

SAME WORK.

Injurious things to the Silk Worms.

1st. The silk worms do not like to eat damp leaves;
16

122 ON REARING

2d. They do not like to eat warm leaves ;

3d. The newly hatched worms do not like the smell of
fish, fried in a pan ;

4th. They do not like to be in the neighborhood of
persons who pound rice in mortars ;

5th. They do not like to hear strokes on sonorous bodies ;

6th. A woman, who has borne a child within a month,
ought not to be the matron of silk worms; that is to
say : ought not to be charged with the raising of silk
worms ;

7th. They dislike men, who smell of wine, to give them
food, to transport them from one place to another, or to
spread them on hurdles ;

8th. From the time they are hatched, until maturity, the
silk worms dread smoke and odorous exhalations ;

9th. They do not like to have skin or hair burnt near
them;

10th. They do not like the smell of fish, musk, or the
odor of certain herbaceous animals, (like the goat, &c;)

llth. They do not like to have a window, exposed to the
wind, to be opened during the day ;

] 2th. They do not like to receive the rays of the setting
sun ;

13th. They do not like, when the temperature of their
habitation is warm, to have a sudden cold or violent wind
introduced there ;

14th. When their habitation is cool, they do not like a
sudden change to excessive heat ;

15th, They do not like dirty and slovenly persons to
\ enter their room ;

16th. Care must be taken to keep all noxious effluvia
and filth distant from the apartments of the silk worms.

SILK WORMS.

SAME WORK.

The third day, between ten and two o'clock in the af-
ternoon, three hurdles, or frames, must be placed upon ano-
ther stage. The one above protects the worms from the
dust; that below protects them from dampness: and the
middle one is destined to receive the silk worms. Young
silk worms when incommoded by internal heat must be
changed. A small quantity of worms, occupying a space
as large as a square of a chequer-board, must be deposited
on the middle frame ; they will soon cover it entirely. By
degrees the quantity of food must be increased. In the
morning, if the weather be clear, the window situated to
the east can be opened, and during the day, those which are
in an opposite direction to the wind. By degrees they will
change color ; and, accordin to the color they assume, their
food must be increased or diminished. When they are
completely yellow, food must not be given them. They
remain motionless, and that is called theou-mien, (or the first
moulting.) When they have been removed after their first
moulting, six meals may be given them, during the space of
one day and night. The second day, the quantity of leaves
must be gradually increased. The windows can be half
opened. From the first moment they begin to turn yellow,
they must be kept very warm. When they are entirely
torpid they require a great deal of heat ; when they are per-
fectly recovered, they only want a moderate heat.

When the silk worms are removed, after their second
moulting, and are all recovered, light repasts ought to be
given them at first. Four repasts in one day and night will
be enough. The next day the quantity of leaves may be
augmented by degrees. Some persons open the windows.

124 ON REARING

From the first moment they begin to turn yellow, they
require a good heat ; when they are once torpid, a mode-
rate heat ought to be allowed them ; when they are all re-
covered they require a mild heat.

When the silk worms are removed after their third moult-
ing, and they are all revived, three repasts must be given
them during one day and night. The first repast ought to
be very light ; the second lighter than the first, the third the
same as the first. If these three repasts be not adminis-
tered with much caution, the silk worms will feed slowly
until the period of their maturity. The second day, the
quantity of leaves must be increased by degrees. The
windows can be thrown entirely open, and the dormer
windows above the frames may be likewise opened.

From the first moment they begin to turn yellow, they
require a mild heat ; when they are completely torpid a
lukewarm heat is required ; when they are all revived they
require coolness. After each repast a basket of leaves must
be taken, and the tour of the shelves made. If an empty
place is perceived (upon a hurdle) it must be covered with
leaves strewn with rice flour. After the seventh or eighth
feeding, (from ten to two o'clock,) cut leaves must be spread
upon the hurdles ; they must be moistened equally with
freshwater; then, after a lapse of some time, sifted rice
flour must be spread, being careful to distribute it in an
uniform manner. For each basket of leaves a ching, (a
kind of measure,) of fresh water and four ounces of flour
must be used. If the flour cannot be had, a basket of new
leaves only must be used ; it will furnish a repast for the
silk worms of a frame.

[Extract from Nong-tching-lsioucn-chou. The powder
of leaves, which are spread on fresh leaves, fills the body of

SILKWORMS. 125

the silk worms, (that is to say: is very nourishing,) and
disposes them to make a firm and thick cocoon, the silk of
which is remarkably strong.]

When the leaves are cut up, moisten them with fresh wa-
ter ; then sift the powdered leaves, and spread them in an
uniform manner.

After the great moulting of the silk worms, (the third
moulting,) from three to five meals of that kind must be
given them at certain intervals. When the silk worms ap-
proach their maturity, they require light and frequent re-
pasts and moderate heat.

SAME WORK.

If among the silk worms there be any that are backward,
that is to say : which do not appear disposed to moult at the
same time with the others, frequent supplies of food ought
to be given them, in order to accelerate ;iml cause their
moulting, at the same time with the rest of the hurdle. —
When the silk worms do not moult all at once, it proceeds
from a species of disease, which dates from their hatching.
This method must be followed to remedy it : If among the
silk worms which are completely yellow, some change their
white color, and begin to turn yellow, much time is not
required to become completely so. By the aid of very fre-
quent feeding they will soon overtake the others ; in fact,
multiplying the feeding hastens the period of their moulting.

But when the greatest number are completely yellow,
many blue and white ones are found, they are far from be-
coming entirely yellow, and frequent repasts given them
will be useless trouble ; it is impossible for the latter to ar-
rive at the moulting at the same time with the first.

The change of color in the silk worms is the least change

126 ON REARING

that is experienced. When they moult they cease eating,
and shed their skin ; then they experience a great change.
But the greatest of these changes, is their metamorphosis
from the chrysalis into butterflies, or moths. When a silk
worm is completely yellow, its mouth is shut, it no longer
eats, but sleeps, or is torpid ; it then resembles a man afflicted
with some dreadful disease ; the blood spreads throughout,
its body experiences great modifications. If it remains a
day and night without eating, its moulting produces a hap-
py relief.

If, then, there be many blue and white silk worms, and
their feeding be too much hurried, their health will be dis-
ordered, and a precocious moulting will not produce relief.
When those which were blue or white turn yellow, and are
disposed to moult, all the others have accomplished their
moulting, and are recovered.

When the silk worms begin to recover from their moult-
ing, they want but little food ; they resemble a convalescent
patient, to whom only slight nourishment is given to repair,
gradually, their strength. If while the backward ones moult,
the nourishment of the earliest be suspended, they will lan-
guish with hunger and weakness, yet you are compelled to
wait ; and, besides, one will be obliged to give them food
when the backward ones are recovering. A great number
will contract diseases, and very little silk will be gathered
from them. For that reason the author of Tsan-king, or
the Book on Silk Worms, says, with much reason, that " the
irregular moulting of the silk worms always causes a dimi-
nution of silk."

SAME WORK.

When the silk worms are just hatched their color is black.

SILK WORMS. 127

Their food must be gradually increased. Three days there-
after they gradually become white ; then they gain appetite.
Leaves, not cut so small, must be given them. When they
are blue, it is the period of their great appetite. Leaves
must then be given them more abundantly, and not cut so
small. When they again become white, they feed slowly ;
their food must be diminished a little. When they are turn-
ing yellow they have but a delicate appetite ; their food must
be again diminished. When they are completely yellow,
they entirely cease eating ; that is called their moulting. —
When they are recovered, they change from yellow to white,
from white to blue, from blue to a second white color ; at
last from white to yellow ; this is their second moulting. At
each moulting they experience the same changes of color.
They must be observed with care, in order to diminish or
to increase their food, of which the quantity ought to varyr
according to the different situations in which they are found.
The leaves which are given them, ought to be neither
wret with dew, nor dried in the wind or sun, nor impreg-
nated with disagreeable smells, for as soon as they have
fed upon them, they will contract diseases. If care be taken
to preserve, in advance, a sufficiency of leaves for three days,
there will be nothing to fear from long rains : the silk worms
will never have to eat damp leaves, and at the same time,
they will not suffer from hunger. When leaves are again
gathered, the heat arising from the accumulation in sacks,
must be completely dissipated before giving them to the silk
worms. The space of one day and night is, for the silk
worms, like unto a year with its four seasons. The morn-
ing and evening are the Spring and Autumn ; the middle of
the day resembles the Summer ; and the middle of the night
Winter. In these four periods of the day the weather is
never the same. When a good fire is preserved in the silk

128 ON REARING

room, great attention ought to be paid to keep it at the cor-
responding temperature for each one of those four periods.
The degree of heat ought not to be constantly the same. —
From the time they are hatched, until their second sleep,
(moulting,) the silk worms require a moderate heat. The
matron of the silk worms, (the person who takes care of
them,) ought to wear a single garment, (that is to say : not
double.) She must regulate the temperature of the silk
room, according to the sensation of cold and heat she feels.

If she feels cold, she necessarily will judge that the silk
worms are cold, and the fire must then be increased ; if she
feels warm, she will conclude from it, that the silk worms
are too warm, and the fire must then be suitably diminished.

When the silk worms are all asleep, if the sky be clear and
brilliant, between ten and two o'clock the windows must be
openedj to introduce air and light in the apartment. If the
wind be southerly, the windows to the North must be open-
ed ; if northerly, the windows on the South side must be
opened. The air which enters from a side opposite to the
direction of the wind cannot injure the silk worms.

When the silk worms have recovered from their great
moulting, (the third moulting,) three repasts must be given
them, then the paper that covers the windows must be cut
with a pair of scissors, to allow the air and light to penetrate
into the apartment. The silk worms will not be disturbed
or incommoded.

After the great moulting, when the windows have been
opened, and the paper cut from the windows, if the exterior
air is too warm, an unglazed earthen vessel must be placed
at the entrance of the door, in which the water must be
often renewed, in order that the air may be refreshed in its
passage. If the wind raises, if it should rain, or if the night
becomes cold, the windows must be closed immediately.

SILK WORMS. 129

NONG-TCHING-TSIOUEN-CHOU.

The silk worms are of a warm constitution. It is better
to make use of a fire during the whole time of the raising.
The following is a method of warming the nursery :
A long stove, placed upon a hand-barrow, must be made
use of, so that it may be carried by two men. When the
leaves are spread on the silk worms, wait until they have
climbed upon the leaves, and then bring in the stove, which
must be carefully lighted outside of the apartment. The
fire should consist of hot coals ; it must be covered over
with a bed of straw ashes, to prevent a red and brilliant
flame. When the silk worms have finished eating, the stove
must be carried back. Afterwards, when other food is given
to the silk worms, the same stove must be brought in each
time. Then the silk worms will escape the diseases which
heat causes ; but if the stove be introduced when the silk
worms are hungry, they soon become warm. If the stove
be introduced soon after having given them food, that is to
say : when they are under the leaves, not having had time
to ascend them, they will soon be incommoded by the fer-
mentation of their dung, and they will, besides, be overload-
ed by the leaves spread upon them.

SAME WORK.

When the air of the silk room is warm, if it. be suddenly
made cold, the silk worms will lose their appetite, and feed
no longer. Then a chafing-dish, filled with clods of dry
cow dung, well ignited, and free from smoke, and by the
aid of an iron fork must be moved about repeatedly above
the frames. That operation dissipates the cold, which be-
numbs the silk worms, and they soon feed with an appetite.
17

130 ON REARING

ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE SILK

WORMS UPON THE FRAMES, AND THE

SPACE TO BE ALLOWED THEM.

THSI-MING-YAO-CHOU.

When the silk worms are moulting, three frames are con-
stantly required. The middle frame is destined to receive
the silk worms, the superior and the inferior ought to re-
main empty. The lower frame preserves the worms from
the dampness of the ground, the upper preserves them from
the dust of the apartment.

WOU-PEN-SIN-CHOU.

When the silk worms are about hatching, they require
cool air. A bed of chopped straw must be spread on the
frame ; wheat straw must not be used. Every day they
must be removed once upon other frames ; if they are not
changed, it generally happens that white spots come over
them.

ON REMOVING THE SILK WORMS.

In removing the silk worms many persons must be em-
ployed in order to perform it quickly. If they are left for
a long time, heaped up in the baskets, they become heated
and perspire abundantly. In consequence, a great number
of them fall sick and die. By degrees they will diminish

SII^K WORMS. 131

every time they are removed ; and those which later arrive
at maturity, will only produce small and ill supplied cocoons.

The dung of the silk worms must be frequently removed.
If it be not carried away, they become heated. The heat
produces fermentation, and causes a putrid effluvia. After-
wards a large number of silk worms turn white and die.

Whenever the silk worms are removed they must be dis-
tributed upon the frames in such a manner as to leave some
space between them ; if they are placed too near together,
the strongest will feed at the expense of the weakest. It is
necessary to make the tour of the frames often, and to visit
them with care. Moreover, if the air does not circulate-
freely in the apartment, and the door be suddenly opened, a
fatal wind may penetrate, and a great number, consequent-
ly, turn red and die. When the silk worms are distributed
upon the frames, it ought to be done in a tender manner ;
they must not be thrown down, or they will be wounded by
striking against each other. The health of a great number
of silk worms will suffer, and afterwards they will become
what are called lai-lao-ong ; that is to say : lazy old men.
They leave a red chrysalis.

NONG-SANG-YAO-TCHI,

Two frames must be placed below the one where the
newly hatched silk worms are. When the sun has risen
above the horizon, a frame must be taken away and dried
until the setting of the sun. It must then be replaced un-
der the frame where the silk worms are. The next day
remove a frame again from beneath, expose it to the rays of
the sun and then replace it, as at first. In that manner the
silk worms will naturally receive a mild and temperate heat.

132 ON REARING

That frame must be removed as soon as they have eaten,

after the second moulting.

SAME WORK.

There are some silk worms which turn white and die ;
it arises from their having been injured by damp exhala-
tions, within a short time after their hatching. When the
sky is clear and serene, take three or four frames and carry
them quickly into the apartment of the silk worms, after
having exposed them for some time to the rays of the sun.
Then as one frame is removed and replaced by another, so
continue to change them, until all the frames of the silk
worms are sufficiently warmed by the heat of the sun.

The country people, vulgarly say : " when the dung of
the silk worms is dry and scattered, it is a sign that they
are in good health." When the dung appears in damp
heaps, and of a shining white, it announces that the silk
worms are sick ; the frames must then be quickly changed.
But if at the time, when it is proper to change them, a damp
rain or a cold wind comes on, it will not do to remove
them ; the straw of rushes, chopped to the size of a bean,
must be taken, and one or two bushels distributed on each
frame ; it must be spread in an equal manner upon the silk
worms. Then a layer of fresh leaves must be placed over
them. Soon after the silk worms ascend to eat the mulberry
leaves. The bed of rush straw separates the silk worms
from the dung, and relieves them from that inconvenience.
As soon as the sky has become serene, they must be re-
moved to other frames ; if a person has no rush straw, the
rice straw will supply its place.

SILK WORMS. 1 33

SSE-NONG-PI-YONG.

The silk worms produced by three ounces of eggs, which
occupy a single frame at the moment of their hatching, will
cover thirty frames at the close, or last period of their lives.
In general, one-tenth of an ounce of silk worms, newly
hatched, will furnish a frame of silk worms, in supposing
that the frame is as usual, ten feet long, and two feet wide.
If the frames are of a smaller dimension, they ought to
receive a smaller quantity of newly hatched worms. If
they are too numerous for the space they occupy, they will
find themselves close, and, consequently, serious accidents
will result from it.

Those persons who intend raising silk worms, to cover
more than thirty frames, ought to increase the number of
frames destined for the young silk worms, (hatching silk
worms.)

Those who only raise a small quantity of worms, can
make use of baskets with small borders.

SAME WORK.

The third day, between ten and twelve o'clock, three
frames must be placed upon a separate stage. The hatching
worms, which have deposited a light bed of dung, must be
changed. It must be done with a delicate hand. A quan-
tity of silk worms which (at the moment of their hatching)
occupied a space the size of a square of a chequer-board,
ought to be distributed upon the middle frame.

134 ON REARING

BEMOVAL OF THE SILK WORMS AFTER
THEIR FIRST MOULTING.

SSE-NONG-PI-YONG,

Place four frames upon a separate stage, and the worms
which haye deposited a Jight bed of dung must be changed.
When they have eaten abundantly, a quantity of silk
worms, which, at their hatching, occupied a space as large
as a man at draughts, will fill the two middle frames ; a
quantity of silk worms, which occupy a space no larger
than a small piece of money, will cover the third frame.

REMOVAL OF THE SILK WORMS AFTER
THEIR SECOND MOULTING.

A quantity of silk worms, which at the moment of their
hatching occupy a space no larger than a small piece of
money, will cover six frames. When they have eaten abun-
dantly; the same silk worms will cover twelve frames.

REMOVAL OF THE SILK WORMS AFTER
THEIR THIRD MOULTING.

A quantity of silk worms, which, at the moment of their

SILK WORMS. 155

hatching, occupy a space as large as two pieces of money,
will cover twenty-five frames. When they are all torpid,
the bed of chopped straw must be removed ; they will then
fill thirty frames.

To remove and separate the silk worms, in a proper
manner, it must be done with promptitude and tenderness.
They must be separated from one another, and an equal
space left between them, for fear they should wet them-
selves, and reciprocally injure one another. The silk worms
evacuate freely ; for that reason they must, absolutely, be
separated. When they have deposited a large quantity of
dung, it is necessary to remove them to other frames. If
they are not separated they will be too much crowded. If
the frames are not changed, they will be injured by the
abundant humors which they void. For that reason, these
two operations ought to be performed with great celerity.

The silk worms are weak and delicate beings ; they suffer
much from being rudely handled. When they are small,
they must be treated with great care and a kind of affec-
tion ; but when they have become large, there are few who
pay any attention in removing them. They are heaped
together, pell mell, for a long time, and they are tumbled
about, or let fall. This defect of care and precaution
causes their diseases, and often destroys them ; therefore,
they should be touched with a light hand, and distributed
upon the frames at an equal distance from one another.

SANG-TSAN-TCHI-CHOUE.

The silk worms of four moultings are of a different spe-
cies ; they are raised in the same manner, as the Spring silk

136 ON REARING

worms, (which have but three moultings.) Only after the
third, they must be distributed upon fifteen frames. When
they have fed abundantly, they must be spread upon twenty
frames ; and after the great moulting, (the fourth moulting)
they must be distributed upon thirty frames.

NONG-SANG-THONG-KIOUE.

Upon each stage three frames are placed ; the first is
destined to receive the dust of the apartment, and that
below, to intercept the dampness of the ground. A bed of
chopped rice straw must be spread upon the middle frame,
in order that it may receive the silk worms which are
removed. This rice straw must be broken, and softened in
an equal manner, upon the middle frame ; then a sheet of
paper must be spread above, of which the extremities are
pasted to the edge of the frame. Upon that sheet of paper,
the silk worms must be placed.

NONG-TCHING-TSIOUEN-CHOU.

Hoang-sing-tseng says: When it is desirable to remove
the silk worms, rice straw, crushed in a mill, must be spread,
in advance, upon other frames. It renders them healthy and
active, and preserves them from diseases. Some persons
change them by the aid of a net, which they strew with
mulberry leaves. See Plate, 2.

ENTRANCE OF THE SILK WORMS

IN THE COCOON ROOM.

NONG-CHOU,

The floor of the cocoon room must be boarded with
planks of the fir tree, six feet long, and three feet wide. A
frame, pierced with large holes, must be constructed of the
thin bamboo from which arrows are made. In these holes
some reeds must be inserted ; then long and large bamboo
branches, stripped of their leaves, must be crossed above.
The cocoon room must be covered with a frame work of
woven reeds.

The silk worms will then have a place, where they can
establish themselves in safety without fear of falling. When
the interior of the cocoon room is well arranged, when it
affords the necessary depth and proper security, and the
frame presents no interval, the silk worms must be succes-
sively spread over it. At first, the frame must be a little in-
clined, until the worms are emptied of excremental matter,
afterwards they must be moderately warmed with a small
brasier, or pan of live coals. When they have begun to
enclose themselves in their cocoon, (that is to say : when
their cocoon will have formed a light net work,) the heat
must be increased by degrees. They must not stop in the
middle of their work ; if the temperature be a little too
18

138 ON REARING

cold, they walk upon their silk and cease to spin. When
it comes to be reeled it will frequently break. In general,
one will be obliged to have the cocoons boiled, and silk
stuff made of it, because it is impossible to reel it from one
end to the other.

THSI-MIN-YAO-CHOU.

When the silk worms have arrived at the age of maturity,
if it happens to rain, it will injure the cocoons ; it will be
better also to establish the cocoon rooms in the interior of
the nursery.

OBSERVATION.

The round and oblong cocoons rooms must be placed
outside.

A parcel of small dry branches must be laid upon the
frames, and the silk worms spread on them. When that
operation is performed, they must be again covered over
with a bed of dry branches. One stage, or story, can sup-
port ten large frames.

ANOTHER METHOD.

In place of small dry branches, the stalks of plants may
be used, on which the silk wrorms must be spread. The
frames must be suspended, between wooden pillars, with
cords, or hooked sticks. Several may be arranged one
above another. When the frames are suspended, they must
be moderately warmed by means of chafing-dishes placed

•c

v . .

. • •••+

SILK WORMS. 139

below. As soon as the silk worms feel the heat, they work
industriously ; but if they are affected by the cold they will
work slowly. The frames must often be visited. As soon
as they are warm enough, the chafing-dishes must be re-
moved. If a cool air circulates above in the cocoon room,
(while the lower part is warm,) the silk will not be spoiled
by the dampness produced by the silk worms ; the silk
worms that die, will immediately fall, and the cocoons of
the other worms will not be injured by coming in contact
with them , the dung will not adhere to the cocoons, nor
produce any blemish. If the silk be impregnated with
dampness, it will be difficult to prepare it for the dye ; if
the cocoon be soiled, the silk will easily break ; if the
cocoon be defective, it will be good for nothing.

The cocoon rooms furnished with stalks of dry plants,
are as advantageous as those we have just described.

SAME WORK.

There are some countries where the place for cocoons is
outside, (in the open air ;) but if in the evening the air be-
comes cold no silk worm can form its cocoon. When the
cocoon rooms are warmed, the silk will be fitter to receive
the dye ; besides it acquires lustre and whiteness.

WOU-PEN-SIN-CHOU.

The ground on which the cocoon rooms are established,
ought to be high and level. It must be well aired in the
interior. Small branches, or dry stalks of plants, must be
spread there in an equal manner ; afterwards the silk worms
must be distributed there, leaving a proper distance between
them ; if they are too near, they will create too much heat ;

140 ON REARING

if they are crowded, they spin with difficulty ; and, more-
over, their silk will be difficult to reel. The cocoon rooms
must not be established in places exposed to the northeast,
nor where domestic animals are raised ; neither under trees,
above a hole, nor near places covered with manure or stag-
nant waters.

NONG-SSE-PI-YONG.

The following is the manner of establishing the cocoon
room : A dry and warm place must be chosen, in order that
neither the cold nor dampness can penetrate into the interior
of the cocoon room. When the worms approach their ma-
turity, a fire must be lighted upon the ground where the co-
coon room is to be located, until it is perfectly dry ; after-
wards the remains of the fire and the ashes must be swept
away, and the cocoon room constructed.

SAME WORK.

Six diseases of silk worms are noted in the cocoon room :

1st. When the silk worms dirty the cocoon room ;

2d. When the silk worms fall in the cocoon room ;

3d. When they move about without spinning ;

4th. When they change in red chrysalis ;

5th. When they turn white and die ;

6th. When they turn black.

The foulness of the cocoon room arises from portions of
leaves which the mature worms have brought with them,
they ferment and produce a fatal moisture.

The five other diseases always result from the moisture
of the ground, or the cold of the exterior air.

ROUND COCOON ROOMS.

PLATE VI.

Han-chi-tchi-choue.

The cocoon rooms must be established upon elevated
ground ; each of them may contain silk worms of six large
frames. When the silk worms have attained nine-tenths of
their age, a few leaves must be distributed to them, then
they must be removed upon the frames of the cocoon room
with baskets in the form of sieves. They must be gently
handled, when they are taken to be put upon the frames in
the cocoon room — they ought to be at equal distances ; and
afterwards covered with small dry branches or stalks of the
bean plant. Other silk worms must be disposed of, as were
the first, until the third frame is emptied ; they must then be
newly covered with a bed of dry branches. After that ope-
ration the position of any reversed branches must be cor-
rected and straightened, (that is to say : those of which the
lower part is turned upward,) in order that the silk worms
may ascend ; they can receive all the silk worms of three
more frames. In covering the top of the cocoon rooms with
dry plants, a round form is given it ; it must be surrounded
with frames at the bottom, and covered at top with straw
mats in the form of a cone, so that the top of the cocoon
room will resemble the apex of a tent or pavilion. On the
approach of evening, the cocoon room must be surrounded

142 ON REARING

with new straw mats, from the top to the bottom ; the next
day, when the sun is sufficiently above the horizon, they
must be taken away. The following night the cocoon room
must be again surrounded with mats. After three days,
the work of the cocoons will be finished, and straw mats
will be no longer required.

The oblong cocoon rooms, called ma-theou-tso, ought to
be equally furnished with straw mats. The construction of
these cocoon rooms requires a greater quantity of materials.
The interior ought to be provided with a stage to receive
the frames with the silk worms.

When a person has a large quantity of silk worms, large
oblong cocoon rooms ought to be made use of, called ma-
theou-tso. It is best to establish them in a place with a
north and south exposure.

SAME WORK.

During the three days that follow the installation of silk
worms in the cocoon room, between eight and ten o'clock
in the morning, the straw and bamboo mats, with which the
cocoon room is covered, must be removed, and the silk
worms exposed to the heat of the sun, until two o'clock in
the day ; afterwards it must be covered up again as before.
If the heat is too strong, the cocoon room must be covered
with a simple lattice-work of reed, to protect the silk worms
from the heat of the sun. *

ANOTHER METHOD.

If the weather be rainy at the time when the mature silk
worms are ready for the cocoon room, one must be content-
ed to establish the cocoon room, in the silk room at the bot-

SILK WORMS. 143

torn of the stage. The doors and windows must be opened,
in order that the air may circulate freely. In the morning
and evening, or if the weather be cold or rainy, the doors
and windows must be shut, and the room warmed, by
placing therein a chafing-dish with dry dung well ignited.
That is better than changing the worms of the cocoon
room at the commencement, or at the middle of the work,
when, in the first instance, they would have been exposed
to the rain.

ANOTHER METHOD.

Nong-sang-thong-kioue.

In the southern countries it is the custom to establish the
cocoon room in the house ; in the North, they are construct-
ed outside ; at the South they are placed in the house, be-
cause but few silk worms are raised, and it is easier to take
care of them, (literally: distinguish ;) but that is not practi-
cable, when one has a large quantity of silk worms. In the
northern countries the greater part of the cocoon rooms are
placed outside ; but it often happens, that a multitude of
worms are stifled and crushed ; thus the cocoon room, of
the South and the North, have their particular inconveni-
ences. The following observations are due to a skilful
raiser of silk worms.

In the South and the North, when there are few silk
worms, the doors and windows of the nursery are opened,
and the cocoon room established there. That method is
good, but it must be renounced if one has a large quantity
of silk worms.

In the middle of the yard a long shed must be construct-

144 ON REARING

ed, and covered with dry Spring grass, and the cocoon room
is there established. All around this shed shelves of planks
must be placed, where small dry branches must be spread ;
then the silk worms must be spread there, placing them at
proper distances. The shelves must be surrounded with
mats of rush, to protect the silk worms. Adopting that
method, no disease occurs in the cocoon room. The plan
appears excellent.

NONG-TCHING-TSIOUEN-CHOU.

The cocoon rooms provided with stalks of dry plants are
much better than those that are now used. It is for this
reason this method is not followed. The cocoon rooms,
placed outside, are only used in the northern countries, and
in the South the raising of silk worms happens at the period
of the rains called Mei-yu^ (in April,) consequently it will
be very difficult to employ this kind of cocoon rooms ;
therefore (in the South) every body is obliged to establish
the cocoon rooms in the interior of the house. The cocoon
rooms ought to be warmed with chafing-dishes placed
below, some feet apart.

SEQ.UEL TO THE ROUND COCOON ROOMS.

In the construction of the cocoon room, stubble, dry
branches, straw mats, &c., are made use of. When a per-
son wishes to construct a round cocoon room, the centre
must first be established ; divide the circumference into five
parts, the middle whereof should be of pine boards. Plant
five poles, and tie them together at the top, afterwards they

SILK WORMS. 145

must be surrounded with rush mats: that is called the heart ;
namely : the centre of the cocoon room. Then dry branches
must be laid all around, against the mats, where the silk
worms are to ascend. When the silk wrorms are placed in
the cocoon room, the lower part must be surrounded with
rush mats, and covered, high up, with straw, in the form of
a cone, or so as to imitate the top of a tent.

These are called touan-tso, or round cocoon rooms.

19

MA-THEOU-TSO,

OR OBLONG COCOON ROOMS

PLATE V.

Stakes must be planted at the two ends, and joined by
cross pieces, which must be covered on each side with thin
laths ; it is thus the bottom of the cocoon room is con-
structed. For the rest, the ordinary method must be fol-
lowed. (See the commencement of the chapter on cocoon
rooms.)

These oblong cocoon rooms are generally used at the
North. I have seen in the South, (says the author.) people
who establish the cocoon rooms in their own houses. They
spread short stalks of dry plants upon the frames, that have
already served, during the raising, and the silk worms are
there installed. This proceeding requires little work and
care, and the silk worms will not be exposed to any of the
accidents which cause a great number to perish in the co-
coon rooms placed outside.

OBSERVATION.

The text here repeats the description of the cocoon rooms
of the South, which has been given above.

SILK WORMS. 147

The author adds : Such are the cocoon rooms generally
used in the South. If the cocoon rooms of the South and
North are compared, of which we have spoken higher up,
it will be seen that their size and figure, (that is to say :
their round or oblong form) vary, according to a large or
small quantity of silk worms. But if these two kinds of
cocoon rooms are examined with care, it will be seen that
they have each their particular inconveniences. In the
South, where few silk worms are raised, the cocoon rooms
are small and narrow. The raising of silk worms in these
countries is an amusement ; therefore, they are not of much
profit.

The cocoon rooms of the North are indeed large, but
they present serious defects. The accumulation of dry
branches, (or stalks of plants,) smothers a great number of
silk worms. The rain often wets the cocoon rooms, and
sometimes the wind also turns them over ; added to that, the
enormous difference that exists between the exterior and
the interior temperature. Hence diseases are created in
the cocoon rooms, which considerably diminish the^number
of cocoons. But as these customs are inveterate, it is very
difficult to reform them suddenly. There is, adds the Chi-
nese author, another method which has been communicated
to me by skilful raisers of the silk worms.

They calculate nearly the quantity of silk worms they
raise, and select, in the yard, a wide space. They construct
there a light frame work, covered with straw mats, a long
shed, which the remainder of the year, may serve for other
uses. When the silk worms are prepared to spin, they es-
tablish the cocoon room there. At first they form the lower
part of each cocoon room, and proportion it to the dimen-
sions of the shed. Between the two ranges of the cocoon

148 ON REARING

rooms, a sort of passage must be left, large enough for a
man to pass freely, and prevent the danger of fire. After-
wards in each cocoon room, shelves of planks must be
arranged one above the other, and covered with dry branches,
on which the silk worms must be spread, leaving between
them a proper space. When that operation is terminated
the cocoon room must be surrounded with double mats.

If one has but few silk worms and much room, the doors
and windows of the nursery may be opened, and the cocoon
room established there. That method is excellent. In the
first place the silk worms are well covered at the top, and
they have not the dampness of the ground to fear, (when
the cocoon rooms are placed outside.) Added to that, the
shelves of plank, (or frames of the stages,) offer them a
large and plain surface, where they can work at their ease.
There are some persons who warm the cocoon rooms. This
proceeding is excellent to dry and strengthen the thread
which the silk worms spin ; this improvement is one of the
useful things which has been borrowed from the cocoon
rooms of the South and the North. It would be very im-
portant if every body followed that method, which never
causes regret, and constantly offers every advantage to be
desired.

CHOICE OF THE COCOONS.

THSI-MIN-YAO-CHOU.

When a selection of cocoons is to be made, in order to
obtain the eggs, those which are found in the middle of the
cocoon room must absolutely be chosen. Those which are
near the top produce very little silk, (or a very thin silk ;)
those near the bottom produce eggs which will not hatch.

NONG-CHOU.

As soon as the frames have been taken from the cocoon
rooms, the floss of the cocoons ought to be removed imme-
diately, so that they may not ferment and spoil. If one has
a large quantity of cocoons, they must be preserved under
beds of salt ; then the butterflies do not go out, and the silk
will be supple, strong and glossy.

The following is the manner of preserving the cocoons :
At first the cocoons must be exposed to the sun, until
they are perfectly dry. A large earthen jar must be placed
in a hole dug in the earth ; at the bottom of the jar a mat
of bamboo must be spread, afterwards it must be covered
with large leaves, of the thong tree, (bignonia tomcntosa.)
Then a layer must be made of about ten pounds of cocoons,
upon which two ounces of salt must be spread ; they must
be newly covered with leaves of the same tree. Thus, lay-
ers of cocoons must be placed one over another, until the

150 ON REARING

jar is entirely full. Then the jar must be hermetically
closed, by covering it with clay.

WOU-PEN-SIN-CHOU.

When silk worms are to be raised, the eggs to be procur-
ed from the cocoons, must be thought of before any thing
else. Now-a-days, when the cocoons are collected it is the
custom to keep them altogether upon the frames. Some
persons not having time to reel all their silk, butterflies are
seen to go out and lay eggs almost immediately. The ac-
cumulation of cocoons produce a kind of fermentation, and
the heat causes the butterflies to hatch before the proper
period. This premature developement has never any good
results, for the butterflies are sick ; and from thence it comes
that the silk worms produced from their eggs, are affected
by diseases from the moment of their hatching.

When the cocoon rooms are opened, (if one wishes to
have proper cocoons for reproduction,) those must be cho-
sen, which are found in the upper part, and which are turn-
ed towards the light ; those are strong and well conditioned
cocoons. They ought to be separated, and put in a well
aired chamber, and spread upon very clean mats, a layer of
the thickness of a single cocoon only. After the cocoons
have rested upon the frames the necessary time, for the me-
tamorphosis of the chrysalis, the butterflies go out them-
selves without being affected by the diseases which we have
described above.

SAME WORK.

A large number of persons are required to select, at the
same time, all the cocoons which may be wanted ; they

SILKWORMS. 151

must be spread in beds of the thickness of a single cocoon,
and they must be preserved in a cool place. The butter-
flies will come out so very late that it will not be necessary
to hurry the reeling of the silk.

HOANG-SING-TSENG, SAYS :

The cocoons which are oblong, brilliant and white, yield
very fine silk. The cocoons, which are large, obscure, and
of a blue color, like the skin of an onion, furnish a coarse
silk. The floss must be removed which covers the silk. —
The cocoons which are moistened in the inside, by the
humors of the silk worms, are called in-kien, that is to
say : dark cocoons.

Those which are thin and mixed, yield a common and
coarse silk. The cocoons must not be left exposed for a
long time, to the rays of the sun ; otherwise, the silk will
be burnt, and it will be difficult to reel it. The same thing
happens when perfume is burnt in the room where the
cocoons are.

The large cocoons are called tsou-kong, that is to say :
coarse work.

HAN-CHI-TCHI-CHOUE,

When the silk worms have spun their cocoons, those
which are firm, and whose surface has large stripes must be
chosen ; they can be quickly reeled. For that they must
be exposed to the steam of boiling water, and afterwards
reeled, by placing them in a basin filled with lukewarm
water.

1 52 ON REARING

OBSERVATION OF THE TRANSLATOR.

The expression of the text, ling-pen, literally signifies
basin of cold water. The sense I have thought proper to
adopt, "(lukewarm water,) is taken from a positive passage
of Book xxv, folio 8, verse, line 2."

The cocoons which are thin, and of which the surface
has fine stripes, can never be easily reeled. They must not
be exposed to the vapor of boiling water. They must be
reeled by placing them in a basin filled with warm water.

SAME WORK.

Manner of Killing the Chrysalides by means of the Vapor of
Boiling Water. — Plate IX.

OBSERVATION BY THE TRANSLATOR.

" In the Chinese Encyclopedia, entitled San-thiai-thou-
hoei, it is recommended to throw in the kettle two ounces of
salt, and one of oil ; the author assures us, that it prevents
the silk from drying, and renders it easier to reel."

Three bamboo baskets must be taken, with a cover made
of soft straw, and it must be placed upon the top of a kettle
of boiling; water. Place two baskets on the cover, where
from three to four inches of cocoons must be spread. The
temperature must be frequently tried, by putting the back
of the hand on the cocoons of the upper frame. If the hand
cannot endure the heat, the under basket must be drawn
away, and another put on the first. The steam must not
be too powerful, or it will soften the silk too much ; neither

SILK WORMS. 153

must it be too weak, otherwise, the butterflies will pierce
the COCOODS.

If the back of the hand cannot endure the heat, the tem-
perature of the water is at the proper degree of heat for the
end proposed. Then the baskets are to be carried to the
silk room, and the cocoons spread on a frame ; they must
be lightly stirred with the hand. If the cocoons fill the
frame, and commence to form a heap, they must be sepa-
rated, and a portion spread (that is to say : one half,) upon
another frame.

Wait until the cocoons are entirely cooled ; afterwards
they must be covered with small willow branches.

All the cocoons must be steamed the same day ; for if all
the moths be not killed, those of the remaining cocoons will
come out the next day.

NONG-SANG-THONG-KIOUE.

When one has a large quantity of cocoons, and they can-
not be reeled at once, they must be preserved under layers
of salt, and then the butterflies cannot go out. That me-
thod is generally followed in the South, but a great number
of earthen jars are required.

I have read the work entitled, Nong-sang-tchi-kioue,
which is used in the North, and the following is what I have
found on this subject :

When the cocoons are gathered, the best way is to reel
them immediately ; but if it cannot be done in consequence
of not having a sufficient number of laborers, the chrysali-
des must be killed, and the cocoons reeled at leisure.

There are three ways of killing the chrysalis :

1 st. By exposing the cocoons to the heat of the sun :
20

154 ON REARING

2d. By wetting them with salt water ;

3d. By exposing them, in bamboo baskets, to the steam
of boiling water.

This last method is the best, but there are many persons
who do not know how to practise it. The drying in the
sun injures the cocoons ; the surest plan is to preserve the
cocoons in earthen jars, under alternate layers of salt and
leaves.

NONG-TCHING-TSIOUEN-CHOU.

When salt is put on the cocoons, it moistens them, and
penetrates to the bottom. Now-a-days, many persons only
lay the cocoons in earthen jars. They tie up some salt in
bundles of one or two ounces, in paper of bamboo bark, or
leaves of the nympha. That method is equally good, but
the top of the jar must be hermetically shut, so that air can-
not penetrate ; for that purpose clay, mixed with salt, must
be used.

•i

SUPPLEMENT

TO THE CHINESE TREATISE

UPON THE RAISING OF SILK WORMS.

. OT

SUPPLEMENT

TO THE CHINESE TREATISE

.
ON THE RAISING OF SILK WORMS.

I lo

EGGS OF THE SILK WORMS.

Each chrysalis changes to a moth. After the expiration
of three days, it pierces the cocoon and comes out. The
male and female resemble each other. The female remains
immoveable, the male flies about in search of the female,
to whom he unites himself. After having been united one
day and a half, he quits her. As soon as the male butterfly
has left the female, he withers and dies. The female im-
mediately lays her eggs. Some persons make the females
lay their eggs upon paper, (made of the bark of the mul-
berry tree,) others on a piece of linen. Every country has
its customs. In the district of Kia and Hou, a thick paper
is made use of, manufactured of the bark of the mulberry
tree. The following year, the same leaves of paper may
be used.

A female butterfly lays about two hundred eggs, which
adhere to the paper ; the eggs are distributed over the paper
in an equal manner, without being accumulated together.

158 ON REARING SILK WORMS.

The matron of the silk worms, (she who superintends the
raising,) must preserve them in order to hatch them the

following; year.
7 J

ON BATHING THE EGGS OF SILK WORMS.

We only describe the methods which are followed in the
districts of Kia and Hou. In the former, the sheets of
paper covered with eggs are exposed to the dew of the
heavens, or else they are washed in lime water. In the
latter district salt water is generally used. Two chings,
(two tenths of a bushel) of water, that runs from heaps of
salt must be taken and poured in a vessel, and a sheet of
paper covered with eggs must be put there to bathe ; the
same is done with the lime water. The twelfth day of the
last month of the year, the leaves must be immersed, and
soaked until the twenty-fourth of the month, that is to say :
for twelve whole days, after which they must be taken out.
They must be drained and dried in a mild heat ; afterwards
they must be preserved with care in a box. They ought
not to be shut up together when the air is moist.

The eggs will hatch at the time called Thsing-ming, (the
5th of April.)

Those persons who expose the eggs to the dew, do it at
the same time with those we have just spoken of. They
put the sheets of paper in wicker baskets, which are hung
up at the four angles of the roof, and each one is loaded
with a small stone to retain them in place. They are thus
abandoned to the frost, snow, wind, rain, thunder, and
lightning. They must be taken down at the end of twelve
days ; afterwards, they are preserved in a box, as we have

SUPPLEMENT. 159

seen above, and kept there until the time called Thsing-
ming, (the 5th of April.)

The latter eggs, that is to say : the eggs of Autumn,
which proceed from a second laying in the year, ought not
to be washed.

PRECAUTION FOR PRESERVING THE EGGS.

A small frame must be made with four pieces of bamboo,
and leaves placed upon them. Suspend it upon an elevated
joist, where it will be exposed to the air, and sheltered from
the sun. It will be dangerous to permit the smoke of the
oil of thong, (bignonia tomentosa,) or fumes from charcoal
to circulate about the leaves containing the eggs. In the
winter months, do not expose the eggs to the reflection from
the sun, which has the effect of rendering them empty and
steril. When a great deal of snow has fallen, the leaves
must be hastily taken in. The next day, when the snow
has passed, they may be suspended as before. The last
month of the year must be waited for to wash them, and
deposite them in the box.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF SILK WORMS.

There are some early silk worms, (silk worms proceeding
from eggs laid in the Spring of the year,) and the late silk
worms, (worms proceeding from the eggs of Autumn.)
Every year the latter hatch five or six days before the
others, (that is to say : they take five or six days less to
hatch ; they also form their cocoons much sooner, (that is
to. say: they arrive at maturity much quicker;) but these

160 ON REARING SILK WORMS,

cocoons are of a description one third lighter than the
others. When the first are occupied in making their co-
coons, the others have already changed into butterflies, and
have laid new eggs ; which permits a second raising, that
is to say : to employ those eggs in rearing a second crop,
the same year.

(The Chinese author adds in a note that the chrysalides
of the late silk worms, must not be eaten.)

When the leaves covered with the eggs of the silk worms
are washed according to the three customary methods, care
must be taken to note the manner each leaf has been treated,
for if a mistake occurs, or if, for example, the eggs that
have been exposed to the dew, be soaked in salt water, all
the eggs will become empty and steril.

Only two colors are distinguishable in cocoons : white
a'nd yellow. The country of Tchouen-cken, and that of
Tsin-iu, only furnish yellow cocoons without any mixture
of white ; the districts of Kia and of Hou, only furnish
white cocoons without any mixture of yellow.

If a white male moth copulates with a yellow female, the
silk worms hatched from that union will form a cocoon
which will participate of those two colors*

The yellow silk* can be whitened by washing it, and
having it soaked in lard taken from pork kidneys ; but
there are two colors which the dyers cannot make it take :
one is called piao-pe, (a greenish white color, like that of
the fruit of the pear or almond tree,) and peach blossom
color.

Cocoons are of various forms. The cocoons of the late
silk worms, (worms of Autumn,) resemble a long gourd,

\%J?

* M. Darcet has bleached some yellow cocoons by means of pork fat. (St J.)

SUPPLEMENT. 16!

the cocoons of the silk worms, of which the eggs have been
exposed to the dew, are pointed and long, like pistachio
nuts. There are some round and flat, like peach kernels.
There is another kind of silk worms, which do not refuse
leaves soiled with mud. They are called tsien-tsan, that
is to say : despised silk worms, or those that are not es-
teemed ; they yield a large quantity of silk.

There are some silk worms that are entirely white, speck-
led, perfectly black, and striped with brilliant colors ; but all
give the same silk. Now-a-days, in poor houses, it is the
custom to couple an early male, (male Spring butterfly)
with a late female ; (that is to say : proceeding from the
Autumn eggs:) eggs are obtained from them which produce
silk worms of a very remarkable species.

The wild silk worms form their cocoons, of themselves,
that is to say : without the assistance of the cocoon room.
They come from Tsing-tcheou, of Y-chou'i, etc. The gar-
ments made with their silk, are neither injured by rain, dirt,
nor by oil.

When the female butterfly has come out, it can imme-
diately fly. Its eggs are not deposited on paper. In other
countries wild silk worms are found, but they are rarer
there than in the two places above named.

FEEDING OF THE SILK WORMS.

Three days after the time called Thsing-ming, (the 8th
of April,) the silk worms hatch without requiring the heat of
garments or blankets. The nursery for the silk worms
ought to face to the southeast. The interior walls are
papered to stop up any cracks through which the air might

162 ON REARING SILK WORMS.

penetrate. When it is cold, the silk worms must be warmed
with chafing-dishes, filled with live* coals. Whenever the
young silk worms are fed, tender leaves cut in small shreds
must be distributed to them. In order not to injure the
knife, the wooden block, (or the table,) must be covered
with rice or wheat straw. When the leaves are gathered,
they must be put in an earthen jar, for fear the wind may
dry them.

Before the second moulting, when the silk worms are
to be changed from the frames, they must be raised with a
small bamboo stick, of which the extremity is rounded.
But after the second moulting, they can be taken up with
the fingers. The changing of silk worms is a painful and
assiduous work. Lazy persons, in changing the frames,
accumulate a large quantity of leaves upon the worms.
These leaves, mixed with dirt, and dampness, produce a
deleterious fermentation, which causes a multitude of silk
worms to die.

When the silk worms are disposed to moult all together,
they do not moult until after having thrown around them
some threads of silk, which aids them to disembarrass
themselves from their skin. Those who remove them to
other frames ought to pick up with much care the leaves
on which they rest, and only give them those that are per-
fectly clean. For if, in awakening from their torpid state,
they should eat a single mouthful of the leaves, where the
threads of silk are pasted, they swell and die immediately.

After the third moulting, if it be very hot weather, the
silk worms must be hastily removed into a cool and spa-
cious room. Care must also be taken to shelter them
from the wind. In general, after the great moulting, (after
the third moulting,) the frames must be changed after twelve

SUPPLEMENT. 163

feedings. If they are assiduously taken care of, a large
quantity of silk will be obtained.

OF THINGS THE SILK WORMS TEAR.

The author gives nearly the same advice as has been
read before, page 121.

He adds the following observations :

The silk worms particularly fear the southwest wind.
When it blows with force, if care be not taken to shut the
windows and blinds, the silk worms from all the frames will
sometimes be lost. Whenever a disagreeable odour is smelt
in the silk room, leaves of withered mulberry trees must be
burnt to dispel it.

OF MULBERRY LEAVES.

All soils are favorable for the cultivation of mulberry
trees. In the districts of Kia and Hou, mulberry trees are
reproduced by layers. By the aid of bamboo stakes, the
lateral branches of mulberry trees are brought by degrees
to the ground. In the Winter months, they are covered
with earth. In the following Spring, when the roots are
formed, the layers must be separated from the parent
branches, and planted elsewhere. The sap of the tree flows
into and concentrates in the leaves, and the mulberry tree
no longer bears blossoms or fruit.

When leaves are wanted, they must be gathered by cut-
ting them with a pair of scissors. As soon as the mulberry
tree has obtained the height of seven or eight feet, the top
must be lopped off, and the leaves then grow with greater

164 ON REARING SILK WORMS.

abundance. The branches can be drawn towards the per-
son gathering them, who cuts them, and afterwards picks
the leaves. It is not necessary to make use of a ladder or
to ascend the tree. .£;??.

The following is the method that must be followed to
propagate mulberry trees by seed. Towards the time call-
ed Li-hia, (the 6th of May,) when the fruit of these trees
is purple and ripe, they must be gathered, crushed, and
soaked in yellow clayey water, afterwards it must be sown
and watered, on the surface of the soil. In the Autumn of
the same year, the young mulberry plants will be a foot
high. They must be transplanted the following year. If
they are manured and watered carefully, they will grow
rapidly. If among them some are found bearing fruit and
blossoms, their leaves will be thin and not abundant. There
are also some mulberry trees called koa-scmg, that is to say :
flowering mulberry trees ; their leaves are very thin and
unfit for the nourishment of silk worms.

The grafted mulberry trees bear thick and nourishing
leaves. There are also leaves produced by the tree of tche ;
use is made of them to supply the want of mulberry leaves.
I have not seen, says the Chinese author, the trees of tche,
in the province of Tche-kiang, but these trees are very
numerous in the province of Sse-lchuen. In poor families
they are given to the silk worms when the mulberry leaves
are exhausted. Strings for the bow and guitar ought to be
made of the silk of worms which have been fed on leaves
of tche. Their cocoons are called ki-kien. That expres-
sion implies, that the silk obtained from it is flexible and
strong.

Whenever the leaves are gathered, scissors must abso-
lutely be used. The best are those from the village of

SUPPLEMENT. 1'65

Thong-kiang, which belongs to the district of Kia. In
the other villages it is impossible to procure- any as sharp.

MANNER OF CUTTING THE BRANCHES.

The branches of a new shoot produce, the next month, a
greater quantity of leaves. By cutting a large number of
branches, the gathering of the leaves is rendered easier.
The leaves of the second pushing serve in the second month
of Summer, to feed the late, or Autumnal silk worms. Then
one must be contented to gather the leaves, and the branch-
es must not be cut. When the second leaves have been
gathered, the third growth will push in the Autumn.

The inhabitants of the province of Tche-kiang, leave them
to fall after frost. They gather them one by one, and em-
ploy them for the nourishment of sheep. These sheep yield
an abundant supply of wool, which is very profitable.

OF LEAVES THAT ARE INJURIOUS TO SILK WORMS.

After the great moulting, that is to say : the third moult-
ing, all the worms eagerly eat the damp leaves. Those that
have been gathered during rainy weather may be spread
upon the ground, and given to the silk worms. If the leaves
which have been gathered in clear weather are moistened
with water, and given to the worms, their silk will have a
lustre and brilliancy.

But when the silk worms have not undergone their third
moulting, if the leaves are gathered in rainy weather, they
must be suspended with a cord under the projection of the

166 ON REARING BILK WORMS.

roof, where they will be well exposed to the air. From time
to time the cord must be shaken, until the air has perfectly
dried them ; but if they are dried with the palm of the hand
they will become warm and lose their lustre. In the
end the color given to the silk will not fail to tarnish and
fade.

Whenever the worms are fed before their moulting, it is
very important to fill them well ; but when they recover
from their moulting, they can, without inconvenience, wait
half a day before being fed. The damp leaves which are
gathered in rainy weather are injurious to the silk worms.
If then there is any fog in the morning, the leaves must not
be gathered, but wait until the mist has disappeared. Then
the leaves may be gathered whether the weather be clear or
rainy. If the leaves are wet with dew, they ought not to
be gathered until they have been dried by the rays of the
rising sun.

DISEASES OF THE SILK WORMS.

The silk worms often contract diseases while yet in the
egg. After they are hatched, it depends on man to prevent
those which arise from dampness, heat and accumulation of
the worms. When the worms are changed from the frames,
at the time of their first sleep, that is to say : after the
first moulting, and varnished baskets are used for that ope-
ration, they must not be covered, in order to allow the
dampness in which they abound to evaporate.

Whenever a silk worm is on the point of falling sick, the
top of its head becomes brilliant, and all its body takes a
yellow tint. Its head gradually grows larger, and its tail

SUPPLEMENT. 167

becomes thinner. If at the time when the silk worms enter
all together upon the moulting, there are some that move
about, and do not sleep, or that take little nourishment
when all the others eat with appetite, it is a symptom of
sickness. They must be quickly removed, for fear they
will corrupt all the others by their contact. Generally, a
very healthy silk worm sleeps upon the leaves. Those that
remain under the leaves are weak and lazy worms, that
make a very thin cocoon, or rather that do not know the
art of forming it. Those that throw their silk carelessly
and form too large a cocoon, are stupid, (sic,) and not lazy
worms.

MEANS OF KNOWING THE SILK WORMS THAT ARE MATURE ENOUGH

TO SPIN.

When the silk worms have sufficiently eaten of the leaves,
it is very important to know the precise time when they are
ready for spinning. The silk worms generally hatch be-
tween eight and ten o'clock, it also commonly happens that
at the same period of the day they are ripe enough to spin
their cocoons.

When a silk worm is mature, the two glands at the bot-
tom of its throat are clear and transparent. If they are too
young by one-tenth, when they are put in the cocoon room,
they will give very little silk ; if they are too old by one-
tenth, and they commence to let threads of silk escape, they
will never fail to make a thin cocoon. A well practised eye
is required to seize them at a proper time. Those persons
endowed with a perfect knowledge of the subject, are never
deceived respecting a single silk worm. It is extremely

]68 ON REARING SILK WORMS.

difficult to take, at the proper time, the black silk worms,
because the transparency that announces their maturity, can-
not be perceived.

« ••' ?J f.',;jij

OBSERVATION BY THE TRANSLATOR.

From another Chinese author we read :
When the silk worms have finished all their moultings,
and begin to assume a bluish color, it is a sign that they

are mature enough to spin their cocoons.

i

. . • . , •

FORMATION OF THE COCOONS.

COCOON ROOMS CALLED CHAN-PO, USED IN THE DISTRICTS OF
KIA AND HOU.

OBSERVATION OF THE TRANSLATOR.

t i • .-.. -~»,:ji •

.6)16 v I oi j(fjj>no4[i"ii: . V'kVi" fei t»

The Chinese expression, chan-po, signifies a frame co-
vered with small protuberances (literally, hillocks). This
last word denotes uncovered cones, where the silk worms
ought to ascend. See PLATE No. 7.

The most perfect cocoon rooms are those that are call-
ed eh&tn-poi and which are used in the districts of Kia and
Hou.

In other countries the silk is not dried by fire (at the
moment it is spun). The silk worms are allowed to spin
between rice stalks, or in the middle of a box. The fire
does not penetrate the thread of the silk worm, and the air
does not cool it. For that reason, the taffetas, that are
manufactured in the districts of Tckang-tan and Ju-cho

SUPPLEMENT. 169

easily rot by washing. As to the garments woven of the
silk that the districts of Kia and Hou produce, they can
bear a hundred washings without the substance of the silk
losing any of its strength and quality. The following is
the manner of constructing the cocoon rooms:

The frames must be woven of split bamboo reeds, and
placed upon a stage, supported on each side by wooden
pillars at the height of six feet. At the bottom of this
frame, chafing-dishes, filled with charcoal, must be placed
at the distance of four or five feet apart. When the silk
worms are put on the frame, only a little fire is required to
induce them to work. As the silk worms like the heat,
they immediately go to work, and are no longer seen to
climb or move about. When the cocoon is commenced,
and forms a light net work, half a pound of lighted coal
must be added to each chafing-dish. As the silk worms
throw their silk, it dries, and immediately hardens; hence
it comes, that for a long time it retains its strength. It is
not good to cover the cocoon room with a plank roof: a
cool air must circulate in the upper part, whilst the lower
must be warmed by fire in chafing-dishes. Whenever the
upper part of the cocoon room is warmed, the butterflies
cannot lay good eggs. When eggs are desired the cocoon
room must be warmed in the lower part, as the plate
indicates.

The small elevations (cones) which are placed on the
frames, are made with rice or wheat straw, cut the same
length, and twisted with the hand; afterwards they must
be fixed on the frame. A great deal of strength is required
in the hands to twist the straw of these cones. As the frame
of this cocoon room is composed of bamboo reeds, woven
together, and sufficiently scattered between them, a bed of
22

170 ON REARING SILK WORMS.

short straw must be made there, to prevent the silk worms
from falling to the ground, or in the fire.

,

\ HARVEST OF THE COCOONS.

At the expiration of three days the work of the cocoons
is finished ; then the frames must be taken down, and the
cocoons picked tip* The silk that floats around the cocoon
is called sse-kouang (it is the floss silk). The old women
of the district of Hou sell it very cheap ; a hundred sapecks
(seventy- five cents) a pound. It is removed by the aid of a
piece of copper coin, which must be held with the three
first fingers of the hand.

" This floss is spun, and common stuff manufactured from
it, called hou-tcheou.

When the cocoons are stripped of the floss it is necessary
to spread them out on large frames, placed upon the shelves ;
they remain there until they are reeled (if it can be done
soon after the harvest). If the cocoons should be shut up
in those small chests (or trunks) which are used in the
kitchen, they would rot by the dampness produced by the
chrysalides, and the silk would break every moment in reel-
ing it.

MEANS OF GIVING STRENGTH TO THE SILK.

What follows, we find in the article which treats of em-
broidering.

Whenever a person wishes to embroider flowers, or orna-
ments in tissue, it is absolutely necessary to make the chain

SUPPLEMENT. 171

with the silk of the provinces of Kia and Hou (see above,
the cocoon room, called chan-po}. That silk has been dried
twice, that is to say: while spinning, and afterwards in reel-
ing from the basin. It is not to be feared that the threads
of that chain will break during the tissue work.

Extract from the same Work, (fol 31, verse L, 4.)

The following is the manner of obtaining excellent silk;
it is expressed in six words :

1st. Tchou-kheou-kan; that is to say, the silk must be
dried when it comes out of the mouth of the insect. For
that purpose chafing-dishes with small coals must be placed
at the bottom of the frame. See PLATE 7.

2d. Tchou-choui-kan ; that is to say, the silk must be
dried when it comes out of the water. When the silk is
reeled, two small chafing-dishes must be placed five or six
inches from the reel, each containing four or five ounces of
lighted coal. The rapid movement of the wheel produces
the effect of wind. It gives activity to the fire, and causes
the thread that is reeled to dry rapidly. If the weather is
clear and bright, and a great deal of air circulates in the
silk room, it is not necessary to make use of fire.

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UPON

•

THE WILD SILK WORMS

NOTE. It is thought proper to reprint here, as a necessary completion
to the preceding Treatises, the Memoir of P. D'!NCARVILLE upon Wild
Silk Worms. This important work, which is only found in a collection of
16 Volumes, of the Memoirs of the missionaries of Peking, (Paris, 1777)
may prove very useful to the raisers, if, as it is to be hoped, the Govern-
ment receive the eggs of wild silk worms from M. Louis Hubert, who
has been sent to the coasts of China, to obtain such valuable species of the
silk worm and mulberry as do not exist in Europe,

1 vl xl ul * ww kit Jli J.

MEMOIR ON

WILD SILK WORMS,

BY P. D'INCARVILLE.*

The observations made by Pliny, the naturalist, upon the
caterpillars of the cypress, fir, ash, and oak trees, from
which the inhabitants of Cos obtained their silk, has start-
ed the idea of making some research into that subject. We
have found that in the third year of the reign of Ouen-ti,
(a hundred and fifty years before Christ,) the wild silk
worms multiplied in forests, and gave a large quantity of
silk; and, likewise, in the second year of Youen-ti, of the
same dynasty, (forty-four before Christ,) with the remark,
that the cocoons of these worms were as large as eggs
(ta-jou~tan). We have found the same fact related in the
Annals of the years 26, 231, 441, 449, 627, 638, &c.,
anno domini, always with the remark, that these cocoons
were as large as eggs, except in 627, when it is said, they
were as large as apricots ; to which the annalist adds, that
six thousand five hundred and seventy measures have been

* Extract from Volume II, (pages 579-601,) of Memoirs relating to the history,
sciences, arts, &c., of the Chinese, by the missionaries of Peking. Several pages
of remarks, foreign to this subject, have been suppressed*

1 76 TREATISE UPON THE

gathered. The statements of the ancients relative to that
kind of worms, their extraordinary multiplication in the
years they have been spoken of, give us the right to
conclude that if they yielded some silk, in other years, it
was in very small quantities. Let us suppose it was the
same with the silk worms of the island of Cos, and it will
be very easy to explain why silk was so rare and precious.
To return to the caterpillars of the cypress, fir, ash, and
oak trees, from which the inhabitants of the island of Cos
obtained their silk, we have all these trees in France. The
caterpillars of a tree in one country are the same in all
other countries. Would it be badly imagined to draw an
inference from that fact ? Would there not be some room
to make it ? All that our gratitude can dare for a benefactor
whose name will ever be in our mouth, and upon bur lips,
is, to relate that which is practised in China, and, for our
justification, to rely upon his wisdom to excuse the anxiety
to make use of it in the proper time and manner. We ask
the favor, that this notice and all others we may take the
liberty to offer to him, may only be communicated to the
public as materials belonging to the subject under examina-
tion. Even if the deceased father D'Incarville, had not
made researches and experiments upon the silk worms, of
which we are about to speak, we would never have dared
to risk ourselves, by saying any thing upon the testimony
of books alone ; but this respectable and learned missiona-
ry, of whom so many excellent memoirs have been lost or
buried, having undertaken to reply upon this subject, to the
questions that the Minister and several learned men have ad-
dressed to him, he set himself to work, made experiments,
and his journal, worthy in all respects of his sagacity and
exactitude, has fortunatelv fallen into our hands. We cannot

WILD SILK WORMS. J 77

now acquit ourselves of what we owe to his memory, but
we have not the baseness or bad faith not to do him honor,
for what we owe to his work.

What Pliny relates of the silk worms of the island of
Cos, in the seventeenth section of the eleventh book, is very
difficult to understand and explain as it appears to us. Has
the text been altered ? Has the signification of some word,
been lost ? This learned man, who has made so many re-
searches, and preserved for us so much learning, had he
defective memoirs upon that article ? We leave the ques-
tion to be decided by those who have a right to pronounce :
for ourselves, it appears to us very remarkable arid worthy
of attention, that of the three kinds of wild silk worms
which are raised in China, two kinds are raised oil the
ash and oak trees, as in the island of Cos. We would not
dare to say that they are not also raised on the cypress and
fir trees, because as we cannot know to a certainty, what
is practised in the provinces, we do not believe that the
silence of the books suffices to draw the conclusion. Even
suppose that the learned gentlemen, prepossessed against
the wild silk worms, only speak of them in passing ; per-
haps it is, that the Government does not wish to promote or
extend the method of raising them. It has been affected not
to say a word in the great agricultural collection, which has
been published by order of the reigning Emperor. The
idea suggested itself, that these modern silk worms, having
the indelible stain of being neglected and despised by an-
tiquity, a learned man disgraces himself in speaking of
them in detail: but the present Ministry is not blinded
by such prejudices, which operate only with the helots
of the school of Confucius. For, perhaps, these wild silk
worms, being more precarious and more difficult to raise
23

178 TREATISE UPON THE

than the silk worms of the mulberry trees, the allurement
of gain will have sufficed to make them prefer the latter*
the silk of which commands a much higher price.

We have seen above, that the wild silk worms have been
known for a long time in China ; but when they commen-
ced to raise them annually, to procure their silk, we do not
find stated any where: we do not even find it anterior to
the last dynasty, forming a part of the tribute of the pro-
vinces, nor entering into the imperial manufactures of the
present day. It may be, that the singular art of raising that
kind of worms has been practised secretly in some districts,
without attracting the attention of the Government. It ap-
pears in the imperial collection, Hoang-ming-chi-ta, publish-
ed under King-ti, of the last dynasty, about the year 1456,
that the Government takes no notice of the silk of the wild
silk worms; but when, making continual efforts to secure
abundance of corn, and of the raw materials for clothing,
it fixed what each place should pay in silk from the worms
of the mulberry, in hemp, or cotton, and, seeing that the
province of Canton obtained silk from the wild worms, they
taxed it to furnish every year a certain quantity. As the
multiplication of the wild silk worms has been regarded
and announced to the Emperors as a relief to the misery of
the people, and as an extraordinary assistance sent by hea-
ven, it may be the desire of perpetuating that branch of in-
dustry, has caused experiments and researches to be made ;
but the books we have read do not name him who first suc-
ceeded.

Three kinds of wild silk worms are enumerated : those
of fagara, or of the pepper tree of China, those of the ash,
and those of the oak tree. Before entering into any detail
it is essential to make these three trees well known.

WILD SILK WORMS. ] 79

We have called the pepper tree of China fngara, after P.
D'Incarville. It appears, in fact, to resemble it ; but we
doubt if it be of the same species. As that tree is of an
easy and very common culture in the province of Canton,
where our vessels resort, it would be easy to bring plants
to France ; for besides, the seed, seed-pods can be used in
place of pepper, which would be important for the king-
dom, and the silk worms of that tree are those which yield
»the most beautiful and the greatest quantity of silk. Ac-
cording to M. Duhamel, the illustrious and zealous promo-
ter of the public good, who says of the fag ar a, it appears
to us very doubtful if those of China can succeed in thq
b- Northern provinces of France ; but we are persuaded that
it would succeed very well in Provence, Languedoc, and
Roussillon. An ignorant person sees nothing very impor-
tant to the country in the acquisition of a new tree; but a
statesman, a citizen, sees in a useful tree a lasting inheri-
tance for the whole nation.

In China two kinds of the ash tree are distinguished, the
tchcou-tchun, and the kiang-tchun. The tcheou-tchun is
the same as ours, and it is on that the wild silk worms are
fed. The kiang-tchun is very different from the first by its
blossom, its seed, and above all, by its smell, as will be
seen by the notice we have taken of it. Our moderns are,
perhaps, too ready to laugh at what Pliny, the natura-
list, has said of the ash tree ,• we would not be at all sur-
prised that the kiang-tchun fully justified him. The compass
of Europe is not yet large enough to measure the universe.
What quantities of plants and trees are in the world ! —
Those of China, which are immense, will not, perhaps, be
known in the West for many centuries.
The oak, on which a kind of wild worms are fed, if we

1 80 TREATISE UPON THE

be not deceived, is what the botanists call quercus, orien-
talis caslanea folio, glande reconditd in capsuld crassd el
squamerosd. It is in the royal garden, as well as we re-
member ; but we have, assuredly, seen it near Toulouse, in
a garden, which would be too painful for us to name.

The wild silk worms offagara and of the ash trees, are
the same, and are raised in the same manner. Those of the
oak tree are different, and require to be dealt with rather
differently.

The great and essential difference between the silk worms,
of the mulberry tree, and the wild silk worms, is that the
Author of nature has given to these last a spirit of liberty
and independence absolutely unconquerable. Patience, per-
severance, and Chinese industry have been foiled there. It
would be useless to risk new attempts. Our religious books
have taken silk worms for the symbol of the resurrection,
be it the soul in grace, or of the body in life eternal. The
wild silk worms appear to be preferred. Their cocoons
being finished, they remain enclosed from the end of Sum-
mer, or the beginning of Autumn, until the Spring of the
next year. This long residence explains why they are made
so strong and so compact. Cocoons have even been seen,
after being forgotten a whole year, to send forth their but-
terflies the next; and, it is notorious in the province of
Clian-tong and several oilier places, that the metamorphose
of the chrysalides can be retarded to the middle of Summer.

The Chinese have a manner of distinguishing the cocoons
which give male or female butterflies : among those they
can likewise select the ones which give the strongest and
the most beautiful butterflies. As the cocoons selected are
the hope of the next year, this choice is important. If the
rules to make this choice are the same as those which are

WILD SILK WORMS. 181

followed for the silk worms of the mulberry tree, which is
very likely, we have nothing to add to what has been said
in the Memoir on Mulberry Trees and Silk Worms. To
keep the cocoons more commodiously, they are strung to-
gether by their extremities, on a thread of silk, and several
strings are formed like beads. The sole precaution that is
necessary to preserve them, consists in suspending them in
a place where they will be sheltered from the north wind,
the rain, sun, and cold air. The Chinese do not disapprove
of their being housed ; but, to believe them, it is always
better to follow nature as nearly as possible ; and, the wild
silk worms, as every body knows, suspend their cocoons to
the trees on which they feed, without even seeking the most
sheltered places.

It is much more difficult to make the wild silk worms
hatch than those of the mulberry tree: I have said to hatch
them, it would be better to say, to procure the metamorpho-
sis, for they hatch without any care. Father D'Incarville
failed in the first attempt ; the half of the Summer had
passed, though he had done his best, without obtaining a
butterfly. " I thought I was deceived," said he, in his
journal, " and that he (his agent) had given me cocoons in
which the chrysalides had perished." Upon which, disheart-
ened with this ill success, he shut them up in a drawer,
where he forgot them, and found them hatched in the month
of October, when he opened the fatal prison where he had
put them, and where they had miserably died. To make
these butterflies hatch, the cocoons must be strung and sus-
pended in a warm room, watered and dampened several
times during the day, in the warmest weather. There are
some who prefer to expose them to the vapor of a large
vessel of warm water, which is milder, and better imitates

I 82 TREATISE UPON THE

the dampness of the air, which makes them hatch in rainy
weather. We do not find how many days are necessary
for the change or metamorphose of the chrysalides, and we
conclude, that there is no fixed time ; that it is advanced or
retarded without our being able to divine the cause; but it
is not common to wait more than eight or ten days, when
proper weather is chosen : that is to say, damp and warm
weather. If it be delayed a little longer, we will have the
gratification to see all the cocoons send forth their butter-
flies nearly at the same time.

The butterfly of the wild silk worm, says P. D'ln-
carville, has glassy wings, of the fifth class of phalenes,
according to the system of M. de Reaumur. It carries its
wings parallel to the superfices of its position, and leaves its
body entirely uncovered : its wings are no more extended
when it flies, than when at rest. This butterfly has scarcely
its wings dry, when it seeks to make use of them, and fly.
As persons are sure of drawing the males by means of the
females, the liberty of flying outside is left to them ; but the
females are taken, as soon as they come out of their cocoons,
and are attached with a thread of pretty long silk by one of
their wings, and the other end attached to a large dried
bundle, of a species of millet, suspended in the air, and
which the botanists call milium arundinaceum. The Chi-
nese by this plan obtain great advantages. The males
impregnate the females the first and the following nights,
though they sometimes disappear entirely during the day.
The females, which are tied to the bundle of millet, deposite
there their eggs after the second night, and continue to do
so about eight or ten days ; but towards the end they lay
much less. The entire laying is not less than four or five
hundred eggs. The heat of the season suffices to make the

WILD SILK WORMS. 183

wild worms hatch, and that, generally, at the end of ten or
eleven days.

The first idea which suggests itself relative to wild worms
that are raised upon trees, in the open air, makes us believe
at first that they scarcely require any care, and are much
easier to rear than the silk worms of the mulberry tree ;
but it is not so by a great deal. When the small silk worms
come out of their eggs there are some persons who suspend
the bundles of millet upon a branch of ihefagara tree, in
such a manner that they can climb from their cradle upon
the leaves of that tree ; others cut a branch, put it in a
vessel full of water, and attach there their millet, with all
its new inhabitants, the number of which augments mo-
mentarily until they nearly equal the number of eggs. The
reason of these different proceedings is the extreme delicacy
of the worms, their weakness, and their enemies. If the
tree where it is desired to establish them be at all accessible
to the ants, and other carniverous insects of the season, so
tender a game attracts them, and in a short lime they make
a dreadful havock ; which remark, en passant, explains suf-
ficiently well why it is that the wild silk worms so rarely
multiply and live in sufficiently large quantities to yield
many cocoons. The best way to protect them, in their
first infancy, is, after a great rain, to surround, with a small
ditch, full of water, thefagara or ash tree, which has been
chosen for their place of abode. But a branch put in a
vessel of water is much surer. The most intrepid ants
dare not swim to catch their game ; for, to judge of the
daintiness of these amazoiis by their avidity and eagerness,
these newly hatched worms are the most dainty fare of
their table. The flying insects of the season are yet more
thirsty for their blood than the ants ; it is much more diffi-
cult to defend them from their continual attacks.

T84 TREATISE UPON THE

Nature has taught the small worms to gain quickly the
leaves of the tree which are to nourish them, and to unite
themselves in the same neighborhood on different leaves, so
as to form there a body, and alarm their enemies by their
numbers. They even take care to lodge themselves upon
the under surface of the leaves, where they attach them-
selves wonderfully, and where it is more difficult to attack
them. Hardly are they dried and accustomed to the in-
fluence of the air, than they eat with a good appetite, and
attack the fagara and oak leaves by the edges, help them-
selves, and feed without scarcely reposing. " It happened
in the first day that I had carried my newly hatched worms
to the tree," says P. D'Incarville, " a great rain suddenly
came on, which made me very uneasy for their lives. I
thought it was all over with them, and that not one would
have resisted the torrents of water which fell. As soon as
the storm had passed, I went to see if there was one to be
found. I found them eating with great appetite, and grown
sensibly larger." Far from the rain being injurious to them,
it benefits them by the coolness it produces in the air, and by
dispersing all their enemies. They suffer, moreover, from
dryness, because the leaves they feed upon being then less
abundant in juice, they become constipated. Their delicacy
and neatness, if they have any, is not against their health.
If they void their small feces with difficulty, they bend them-
selves without ceremony on their backs, draw them with
their teeth, and drop them ; which is done in the twink-
ling of an eye : then they begin to eat again. The food
profits them so much in the beginning, that they grow and
increase from day to day nearly half their size.

The wild silk worms moult four times, and each moult-
ing is but four days distant from the preceding. The third
day they eat little ; but the fourth day, when they are hardly

WILD SJLK WORMS. 185

cleared from their skin, they indemnify themselves with
usury, for the diet of the preceding day. It is then that
they can almost be seen to grow. These small worms en-
tirely lose the love of social life after their first moulting ;
the taste for solitude gains upon them, arid they separate to
go and live in their way, remote from one another. This
new inclination is mutually advantageous; for, if they re-
mained assembled together in community upon a single
branch, they would soon consume all the leaves, besides,
the tree would suffer from it, they would have a journey to
make to gain another branch, and the fast, which would be
inevitable, would retard their moulting, or even abridge
their lives, which are so short. Their dispersion is yet more
necessary for their preservation ; for if their enemies found
them thus re-united, they would make a more terrible de-
struction, and, perhaps, none would be able to escape. —
Hornets, wasps, ants, ravens, and all small birds without
exception, are eager for their blood. The admirers of Pro-
vidence may well exclaim, in considering how these cater-
pillars, without defence and exposed to so many dangers,
have been able to preserve and perpetuate themselves, from
the beginning of the world, in the midst of so many ene-
mies ; a miracle so much the more striking, because, before
their silk obtained for them the care of men, the greater
part of them must perish at the period of hatching in years
unfavorable to their propagation. The following method
has been invented to defend them from the birds : the heads
of thefagara or ash trees, on which they put them, must
be rounded and covered with a net of meshes, close toge-
ther, to prevent the birds from getting to them. It is an
expense, but it is necessary ; and one is well remunerated
by the silk which is gathered. The hornets fall upon them
above all, when they are small, cut them in two and devour
24

] 86 TREATISE UPON THE

them, though the net alarms them at first, but the allure-
ment of their prey gives them courage to traverse the
meshes, and one that has passed through invites all the
others. Artifice and allurements must be used in the neigh-
borhood, by sticks covered over with honey, where they
must be burnt with a wisp of straw when there is a great
number of them. P. D'Incarville relates as an ocular wit-
ness, that scarcely does a toad fix its eyes upon one of these
caterpillars than it swoons and falls ; the toad respires, and
in drawing its breath receives it in its mouth arid swallows
it. Then, he adds, if he had not closely watched, his whole
republic of silk worms would have been in danger of per-
ishing in a few days. As the Chinese books have neglect-
ed this matter, we will say nothing more upon the sub-
ject.

We had forgotten to say in its place, that a little before
or after the first moulting, if the newly hatched worms
were left on a branch of the fagara tree, and put in a
vessel of water, or if they were at first placed on the tree
itself, care must be taken to proportion the number to the
tree destined for them, or on which they must be left. —
That attention is essential, because if these worms were in
too large a number, they would strip off all its leaves, which,
perhaps, would not suffice them : being more uncovered,
they would there be more exposed to their enemies, less
sheltered from the rain and sun ; and then, when the time
comes to spin their cocoons, they will be in a great deal of
distress and embarrassment. The true time to make that
distribution is the day that precedes or follows their first
moulting. As they disperse as soon as the moulting is
over, it will be impossible to distribute those which are
already lodged on their tree if that moment be missed ; and
it would be forcing the others, to retain them on small

WILD SILK WORMS. 187

branches, where their lodging and provisions would be too
near together.

The four moultings> which take place at intervals of four
days, being finished and passed, the wild silk worms have
nearly all their growth, and are at least twice as large as
the silk worms of the mulberry tree. " It is a caterpillar of
the first class, according to the system of M. de Reaumur/'
says father D'Incarville ; " it is of a green color mixed with
white, not perfectly smooth, with six tubercles, six on each
ring. The hairs of these tubercles are covered with a kind
of white powder." After the eighteenth or nineteenth day,
the wild silk worms lose all appetite, and successively pass
from a sullen apathy, or half numbness, to uneasiness
and very lively agitation. They run here and there, as if
they feared making mistakes in the choice of a leaf they
are about selecting, and a place to spin their cocoon, and
await their revivification the next year. It is generally from
the nineteenth to the twenty-second day from their hatch-
ing that they commence this great work. Be it in order to
have wherewith to fasten the first threads of the tomb about
to be built — be it to increase its thickness and solidity, it
curls up a leaf in the form of a gondola, and encloses it-
self under the tissue it spins, and which is finished by form-
ing a cocoon of the size of a hen's egg, and almost as hard.
This cocoon has one of its extremities open, in the form of
an inverted funnel ; it is a passage prepared for the butter-
fly's future egress. With the assistance of the liquid with
which it is moistened, and which it directs toward that
place, the moistened threads yield to its efforts: it breaks
through its prison when the time arrives.

In collecting together all we have just said, it is evident
that the wild silk worms are easier to raise in many respects
than the silk worms of the mulberry tree, and, perhaps,

188 TREATISE UPON THE

merit the attention of the Ministry, by whom alone it should
be decided, whether it would be useful to the kingdom to
procure a new kind of silk, instead of that of our provinces,
or to have experiments made with care, which would deter-
mine the fact, and make it known whether we can succeed
in raising them. All that is necessary for us to add to what
we have said, is, that these worms are a source of wealth
for China itself, though each year so prodigious a quantity
of silk is gathered from the worms of the mulberry tree,
that, according to the saying of a modern writer, mountains
could be made from it. It is true that the silk of the wild
worms is not to be compared to the other, and never takes
permanently any die ; but, in the first place, it costs less
care, or, rather, scarcely requires any in the places where
the climate is favorable to the wild worms, because all that
is risked in neglecting them is to have a less abundant crop;
yet one is master of a larger quantity by multiplying the
number of trees destined for the worms. 2d, As the co-
coons of the wild worms are not reeled, but spun like floss
silk, much time and workmanship are dispensed with. 3d,
The silk they furnish is of a fine flaxen color, lasts double
the time of the other at least, and does not stain so easily;
drops even of oil or greese do not spread on it, and are very
easily effaced. The stuffs made of it wash like linen. 4th,
The silk of the wild worms fed upon the fagara tree, is so
beautiful in certain places, that the stuffs made of it dispute
the price with the most beautiful silk stuffs, though they
are plain and simple druggets. When we have said the silk
does not reel, and does not take the die, it is a fact we re-
late. European industry, aided and enlightened by the
enterprise of French genius, would, perhaps, invent the
mode of reeling the cocoons of wild worms, and of dying
the silk.

WILD SILK WORMS. 1 89

P. D'Incarville having neglected to put the cocoons in a
cool place, had some butterflies in twelve, others in fifteen
days, after the caterpillars were enclosed, that is to say :
eleven months too soon. Nevertheless, there are some
places where, though contrary to the institutions of nature,
in general made to be followed, the common custom is to
manage two crops of wild worms, one in the Spring, the
other at the end of Summer.

We now come to the wild worms of the oak tree, with
leaves like the chestnut tree. They are made to hatch like
those of thefagara and ash trees ; but their earliest infancy
is more delicate. The wind is very injurious to them : care
must be taken to raise them upon branches of oak, placed
in vessels full of water, as was said above, and they must
be kept in an inhabited room, well closed, and with a south-
ern exposure : but attention must be paid to open the win-
dows when the weather is fine. Those who think it dan-
gerous not to accustom them at first to the open air, adopt
the method of planting their branches of oak upon the
edge of a river or brook, at the distance of a foot and a
half or two feet ; but, in order not to expose them to the
fatal effects of the wind, they protect them with a shelter of
strong mats on the side from whence it blows.

We have nothing particular to add upon the life they lead,
and the care the worms of the oak tree require when they
are carried after their first moulting to the tree where they
are to finish their short career. They are exposed there to
the same perils as those of the fagara and ash trees : they
are defended in the same manner. Dryness appears to be
very injurious to them. P. D'Incarville seeing his worms
thirsty, presented them some water, on the end of a straw,
and he saw them suck a great number of drops, with-
out appearing to quench their thirst. Thus, the Chinese

190 TREATISE UPON THE

take care to choose rainy weather to make them hatch, and
the neighborhood of water to raise them. A much more
important remark of P. D'Incarville is, that they can be fed,
as he fed them from necessity, when the leaves of the chest-
nut-oak fails, on leaves of the common oak. We insist
upon this point, because the oak tree of the East is uncom-
mon in France, and because it will, perhaps, be possible
to find on our common oak trees the true wild caterpillar of
China, which gives silk of the second kind. P. D'Incarville
says " that it is of the first class, according to the system
of M. de Reaumur, like that of thefagara and of the ash ;
viz : that it has sixteen legs. The six in front are covered
with a sort of shell or scale. Eight are pectoral, and two
caudal. The pectoral legs or holders, are furnished with
hooks, which assist the insect in climbing. Its greatest
singularity is a species of brilliant scales, resembling bur-
nished silver. Some have them over each stigmate ; others
have fewer or even none at all ; but these last have, upon
the tops of the tubercles of the third row, from the spot
where the hairs grow, a crown or circle of brilliant gold."
The worms of the oak tree are slower in making their
cocoons than those of the fagara and ash trees, and they
proceed differently. Instead of bending a leaf in the form
of a cup, they put two or three together, shut themselves up
in them, and there spin their cocoon, which, though larger,
is of a very inferior silk ; for it must not be omitted, a great
difference exists between the silk of thefagara, ash, and oak
trees. That of the first is most valued : the siao-kien is
made of it, which is very beautiful and costly. It is, how-
ever, but a species of drugget, though very fine, and of
admirable use. The tsiao-kien is made of that of the
caterpillars of the ash tree, and the ta-kien of the oak. If
our merchants wish to buy at Canton these three species

WILD SILK WORMS. 191

of drugget, they must address themselves to a trusty person,
for, as druggets are made of ferret silk, it is easy to impose

on a stranger.

After the gathering of the cocoons, those intended for eggs
must be selected for use at the end of Summer, or the fol-
lowing Spring ; and after having strung them in the man-
ner described, they must be hung up in proper places. There
is a choice to be made among the other cocoons : this choice
is made by pressing them between two fingers. Those that
resist are the best, and have the most silk ; those that yield
are middling, and have less silk. The two extremities of
both kinds must be cut with a pair of scissors, separate
them, and put them in two bags of linen hemp, when they
must be tied up with a pack-thread ; then they must be
plunged in a large kettle of boiling lie, which has been
strained. This lie, which ought to be strong, must be
made of the ashes of the jujube tree, or stalks of buck-
wheat, or of a kind of persicaria, from which indigo is ob-
tained. When the cocoons have boiled an hour, the bag of
the middling ones must be opened, to see if the lie has had
the effect that is required, to unravel easily. As this lie is
only intended to dissolve the glue or gum that joins the
silky threads of the cocoon, European ingenuity will, per-
haps, find some solvent more active and quicker. When
the cocoons of the first bag are at the desired point, they
must be drawn from the kettle ; then those of the second
bag must be examined from time to time so as not to injure
them. If both be withdrawn from the kettle at the proper
time, the bags must be pressed till the lie escapes, and they
must then be left until the next day to dry. If they are
withdrawn too late from over the fire, after having squeezed
out the water, of which they are full, by pressing them in
the bag, they must be spread on the hurdles to dry then*

192 TREATISE UPON THE

While they are yet damp, they must be emptied of their
chrysalides, and turned inside out, so as to form a kind of
cowl. If one has not then the leisure for this purpose, it
will repay the trouble afterwards, to soak them some time
in warm water, when this work is to be done.

The cocoons emptied of their chrysalides and turned inside
out, in the form of a cowl, are very easy to spin. They
have only to be put again in lukewarm water, inserted one
in the other, as thimbles for sewing are put, and then wound
on a small distaff to the number of ten or twelve. The art
of spinning is too well known in France, and we have too
confused ideas to persist in the details. All that we can
permit ourselves to add, is, that the Chinese are very skilful,
and that to see their distaffs, spindles, and spinning-wheels,
one would not believe that so fine, so clean, and regular a
thread could be drawn from them. To speak, in general,
the Chinese are yet in the first ages of improvement for all
their instruments. Their skill improves, and their tools
and instruments remain the same. Let us yet add another
word on the silk of wild worms. That of the worms of the
oak can be spun with a spinning-wheel ; and when the silk
of the worms of thefagara and ash trees is wanted to be of
a finer thread, the floss silk is taken from about the cocoons
before having them boiled : but if a person in France com-
mences to raise the wild worms, French industry will soon
discover all that is most proper to obtain an excellent profit
from their labor.

It is seen with what intention we propose to make expe-
riments, in imitation of the Chinese, upon wild silk worms
of the fagara, ash and chestnut-oak. These experiments,
which only require care, attention, and patience, can occupy,
in different places, the sagacity and zeal of opulent citizens,
who go to pass the fine season in the country. It is so de-

WILD SILK WORMS. . 193

lightful to render one's self useful, and to contribute to the
public abundance, that we do not doubt that many will
prefer these experiments to many amusements as expen-
sive as frivolous, which occupy the leisure of the rich on
their farms. The public, to whom they will render the
account of any partial successes, will compare them, improve
them one by the other, and decide upon the use the com-
mon good will prescribe. Who knows if it be not reserved
to some one of these experiments to enrich France, with
some new kind of silk, or perhaps even to simplify the man-
ner of raising the silk worms of the mulberry tree ? For,
at last, if it is more difficult to rear them on trees than the
wild silk worms, it is not impossible, perhaps, in climates
where the season is more favorable to them. Who knows,
even, if this will not be the true means of giving to our
silks a degree of perfection and beauty, which the con-
straint the worms labor under, deprives them of at pre-
sent.

NOTICE ON THE ASH TREE OF CHINA,
CALLED HJANG-TCHUN.

Here are distinguishable two kinds of ash trees: the
tcheou-tchun, the stinking ash tree ; and the kiang-tchun,
the fragrant ash tree. The first has always appeared to us
to be the same as ours, because we were contented with
appearances, and put ourselves to little trouble to examine
it nearer. What we have written on wild silk worms has
made us fear we were deceived: we have examined the
blossoms of that tree, they appear different to us from those
our botanists describe. The petals are five in number, and
25

194 TREATISE UPON THE

less elongated, and the stamens are in greater number, and
smaller, and the pistil and receptacle to which the flow-
ers are attached appear different. We insist upon these
trifles, because we have indicated the ash tree as the ordi-
nary food for a kind of wild worms, and that if the kind of
which we have spoken, was very different from ours, the
worms would not be willing to feed on them.

The fragrant ash, named in Chinese, kiang-tchun, is very
different from ours in many respects. In as much as the
leaves of the tcheou-tchun have a disagreeable odour, those
of the kiang-tchun have an aromatic and agreeable smell,
for those who love strong perfumes. Botanists, who have
joked on what Pliny says of that tree, ought to have ob-
served, that what is true of one kind is not always so of
another, and the same species, in its individuals, perhaps,
may be very unlike in different countries. The climate,
soil, exposure, year, and season, have warned naturalists for
a long time, that one fact concludes nothing against the
other. At the first view, the fragrant ash appears to be
exactly like ours ; it comes in the same places, grows to the
same height, the branches and stem are the same, its leaves
are ranged in the same way by pairs upon one side. But in
regarding it closely, it will be found that the leaves of
the fragrant tree are of a brighter green, more slender, and
are not terminated by a single leaf. The flowers and fruit
are entirely different.

1st. The cluster of flowers is more like that of the grape,
and the flowers which are of different sizes, do not bloom
so much at a time, and last longer.

2d. The flower is composed of a small calix of five
white petals ; of four stamens, which spring from a reddish
receptacle, or a small' round summit; of a pistil, that comes
out of the embryo fruit. i

WILD SILK WORMS. 195

3d. The embryo, that serves as a base to the pistil, be-
comes a fruit, covered with a woody and hard bark, that
opens in five follicles, at its maturity. Under these follicles,
are ranged, upon the five faces of the pith, which is in the
middle, two or three seed. These seed, formed like the
wing of a fly, arid almost as slender towards the point,
enclose at their base a seed, of a figure that varies, but
composed of two lobes which cover the germe.

If all the flowers were productive, the cluster sustaining
the fruit would not be strong enough ; but it is rare for a
sixth part to remain. Notwithstanding where the fruit
begins to enlarge and lengthen, they would be taken at a
distance for a bunch of unripe grapes.

The pith, rounded at its extremity, and presenting five
surfaces to which the seed are attached, is a spongy sub-
stance like the pith of the rush ; but it is more compact.

The Chinese throw into boiling water the first buds and
tender shoots of the fragrant ash tree, then they take them
out, and steep them in vinegar, to eat with rice, as we
do pickles. It must be used very cautiously, under the pen-
alty of being covered with biles in case of impure blood.

Physicians use the leaves, blossoms, and second skin of
the bark of the roots.

As the fagara is ranged in the class of ash trees, and
from the descriptions given of it, it is probable that it is the
hou-lsiao, of the Chinese, on which the most beautiful wild
silk worms are fed, we will merely add the drawing to that
of the stinking and fragrant ash trees, without any other de-
scription, because it speaks for itself.

The treatise on trees and shrubs, by the illustrious M.
Duhamel, is the only book where we have found some
details upon the fagara tree. If that of which he speaks
is the same as that of China, we dare predict to him that it

196 TREATISE UPON THE WILD SILK WORMS.

will resist the winters of France, because it bears the win-
ters of Pe-tche-li, which are much longer and much more
rigorous. The Chinese adopt a principle in botany and
agriculture that deserves to be examined. According to
them, when one wishes to preserve the trees and plants of
strange countries, the most studied care is necessary for the
first plants ; but when one has gathered seed it is easy to
propagate them, above all after the second generation. If
the seed of the second or third generation do not succeed,
it is because the climate is not favorable to those trees and
plants ; they can never there naturalize them. Thefagara
tree succeeds wonderfully on the mountains in the environs
of Peking. Perhaps our winter rains are injurious to them,
and it would be advantageous to preserve their roots from
dampness, by planting them on the top of a hill, with a
southern aspect, and by surrounding them with a small plat-
form, such as is made for grape arbors and accacias in
many places.

"

FINIS.

*4 ,««,K,n-v: J
'KOt' 3lt |T
•i .<'*{&$$&<]

rli ^ s«Tfi8 aril

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES.

PLATE 1. Tsan-lien, leaves of paper on which the female butterflies have
laid their eggs. Page 103.

PLATE 2. Tsan-wang, nets to change the silk worms. It is commonly
used in the South, for silk worms of all ages. In the
North it is only used when they are small. See page 136,
line 18.

PLATE 3. Sang-long, net-work baskets, to transport the leaves. They

are particularly used in the South.

Ibid. Figure 4. Sang-kia, instrument for cutting the leaves. The

two pieces in the form of the letter V, ought to be two or

three feet in height. The left hand furnishes the leaves,

and they must be cut by lowering the blade with the right

Sniu/i hand. This instrument is only used in the North of China,

'lo -ui: where the greatest quantity of silk worms are reared ; this

proceeding is very expeditious.

Another kind of instrument is also used, called thsie-tao. — It
has two handles like tanners' knives ; it ought to be about
two feet and a half long. Use is made of it when there
is. a large quantity of silk worms.

In the South, when the silk worms are small, the leaves are
cut with a small table knife, the blade of which is thin and
well sharpened (a dull blade would cause a waste of sap
from the leaves). As the silk worms grow larger, stronger
knives are used.

* The original Chinese work is accompanied with forty plates. All the figures
have been omitted which were already known, and only those preserved that pre-
•ented a character of novelty.

!98

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES.

PLATE 4. Tsan-po, frames or hurdles for removing the silk worms, or
changing their litter. It is generally done at the North,
where a great many more silk worms are raised that at the
South. The facility of rolling and unrolling, renders them
very proper for their destined use.

PLATE 5. Ma-theou-tso, oblong cocoon rooms. See the text, page 146.
Ibid, Figure 2. Interior hurdle of that cocoon room.

PLATE 6. Touan~tso, round cocoon room. See the text, page 141.

PLATE 7. Chan-po, cocoon room employed in the districts of Kia and
Hou. See the text. Supplement, page 168.

PLATE 8. Kien-ong, jars where the cocoons are preserved under layers
of leaves and salt. See the text, page 154.

PLATE 9. Kien-long, apparatus to kill the chrysalides by means of the
vapor of hot water. .^

There are some persons, who put two ounces of salt and
one ounce of rape seed oil into the hot water, in order that
the silk may not dry and that it may be easier to reel. See
the text, page 152.

PLATE 10. This plate makes no part of the Chinese work. We owe its
communication to the kindness of M. Huzard, (of the
Academy of Sciences,) who possesses a large number of
drawings executed in China, relative to the raising of silk
worms. This new arrangement, where the hurdles are
warmed by chafing-dishes, confirms the observations deve-
loped in the article chan-po, of the Supplement. (Page 168.)
Their method, which appears to present great advantages,
differs from that of the raisers of Europe, who lower the
temperature of the silk room at the time when the silk
worms spin their cocoons.

eA.

.Jbeso

flcuU 2

1'1,1/f I

7V////- ,5

Plate 6

Plate

7.

*- x

()

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