Silkworm Racks

The Book of Rites states that in the last month of spring, one must prepare the trays and frames; "frames" here refers to the racks themselves. The text Direct Words on the Fundamentals says that on the day of Grain RainA traditional Chinese solar term occurring around April 20th, marking the start of the busiest period for silkworm rearing due to the rapid growth of mulberry leaves., the racks should be erected. Four wooden posts are stood upright, each passing over the ceiling beams where they are hung and secured. The height of these racks corresponds to the height of the room, with a set erected in every bay of the house.

The outer sides of these standing posts are carved with deep notches, shaped like the teeth of a saw. On each post, one hangs round ropes made of mulberry bark hemp is also suitable. At the four corners, two long rafters are placed. Upon these rafters, reed mats are spread out flat. Slightly below, they are tightened pronounced 'ti'. Each rack consists of ten suspended levels, spaced nine inches apart to house the silkworms. Between feedings, these levels can all be moved up or down as needed.

The Plain Treatise on Agriculture and Sericultureoriginal: 農桑直說 (Nóngsāng Zhíshuō). An influential agricultural manual compiled in 1273 during the Yuan Dynasty to promote efficient farming and silk production. says: On each rack, mats should be spread at the top, middle, and bottom. The top mat catches falling dust, the bottom mat blocks rising dampness, and the middle sections provide space for the different stages of the larvae's development.

The poet Mei ShengyuMei Yaochen (1002–1060), a renowned Song Dynasty poet known for his realistic and sympathetic depictions of rural labor and common life. wrote in a poem:

"In the third month, when the silkworms are about to be hatched,
The standing frames are the first tools to be prepared.
The slats thin boards are joined together, and the interior walls are plastered.
From diverse materials, many trays are fashioned.
When it is time for the mature silkworms to return to the nesting frames,
There will be no regret for the placement of the mulberry leaves."