Essential Compendium of Sericulture, Volume II

Selecting Leaves

The silkworm takes the mulberry as its food. People from the region of HuzhouLocated in modern-day Zhejiang province, Huzhou was historically the premier center for high-quality silk production in China, famous for its "Hu Silk." do not refer to the plant as "mulberry" but simply call it "the leaf." Every place of trade is called a "leaf market," the brokers are "leaf agents," and the warehouse owners are "leaf masters." Even the smallest tools are named after "the leaf." This local custom of prioritizing the leaf is done entirely out of reverence for the silkworm.

However, there are leaves that are suitable for silkworms to eat and those that are forbidden. If one does not distinguish the silkworm’s nature and feeds them a mixture of types, the silkworms will inevitably fall ill. Those who manage silkworms must inspect their stock at all times and must not harbor a negligent attitude, which would bring harm to the silkworms.

Wet Leaves

Silkworms have an aversion to moisture; you must not feed them wet leaves. There are several types of wetness: rain, dew, and fog. A note in the Essential Compendium of Agriculture and Sericulture original: "農桑輯要" (Nongsan Jiyao), an influential agricultural manual compiled in 1273 during the Yuan Dynasty to standardize farming techniques. states: Leaves carrying rain or dew are both wet and cold. If eaten, the silkworm's body will turn a brownish color and it will suffer from "water-diarrhea." This is particularly harmful as the silkworm approaches maturity The text refers to the final stage before the silkworm spins its cocoon..