Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/90

70&#93; 7o] S I L primroses, have also been advan- tageously employed for this pur- pose J and it is asserted, that elm- leaves may be safely given to them ; though some breeders observe, that such food inevitably causes their destruction. In the management of silk- worms, cleanliness is an object of the first importance : hence, to fa- cilitate the rearing of these profit- able creatures, in this climate, the Ilev. Mr. SwAYNE has contrived an ingenious appaiatus, by means of which, larce numbers may be bred in a small compass. It con- sists of a wooden frame, 4 feet 2 inches in height j each side being l6' inches wide, and divided into -eiglit partitions, by means of small wooden grooves, into which are in- troduced sliders, that may thus be drawn in, or out, at pleasure. The upper slider is of paper, and is des- tined for the reception of the worms, as soon as the eggs are hatched. The two next are formed of cat-gut, the threads of which are about one-tenth of an inch asunder ; and are designed for tliem, when somewhat increased in size. The five lower sliders are constructed of wicker-work, with openings about a quarter of an inch square, through which the dung descends. Beneath all these are placed paper-sliders, to prevent the excrements from falling on those which are beneath them. — For a more detailed account of this con- trivance, the reader is referred to the 7th volume of the " Transac- tions of' the Socicti/ fur the Encou- ragement of Arts," &c. whtrc it is fully described, and illustrated with an engraving. For the successful rearins of silk-worms, two Essential objects •ught to be attended to : 1. A suf- ficient plantation of mulberr)''-trccs j. and 2. A proper stock of eggs for hatching, obtained from a climate similar to that in which they are to be bred. Besides, it will be ad- visable to keep the latter in a coul, but not in a cold place, till the tender mulberry-leaves are secured from the effcft of night-frosts. The room in which the inseCls are managed, should be lofty, dry, an4 rather daik than too light. In short, they ought to pass through their different stages of life, in an uni- formly warm temperature, not ex- ceeding that of summer heat. The quality of silk greatly de- pends on tlie manner, in which the raw threads are manufactured. In order to wind them oft' the cocoons, they are immersed into hot water for a minute or longer, when they are taken out and reeled by means of a machine ; the threads are next twisted, and at length woven intq ribbons, satins^ &c. Convinced of the great import- ance of the silk- manufacture to. this countr)', the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, &c. have offered various piemiums, with a view to promote the production of silk, in Britain. The successful candidates were, 1. Mrs. Wil- liams, who received 20 guineas in 177H> for her attention to this ob- ject.— 2. Miss HenkietxaRhooes, to whom, in 17^5, the Society pre- sented their silver medal. — 3. The Rev. Mr. Swayne, who obtained a similar reward in 1 "JSg ; and lastly, Mr. Salvatoke Bekte- zen, on whom, in 1790, they be- stowed their gold nudal. It would exceed the limits of our plan, to specify the diflerent me- thods adopted by tliese patriotic individuals j and, as we have al- ready selected a few hints, both tiUIX