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Essential Collection of Sericulture

Rich Leaves

If mulberry trees are continuously fertilized with manure, the leaves become "fat" Meaning lush, thick, and overly rich in nutrients.. If silkworms eat these, they will immediately become "Sturdy Greens" The silkworm's body becomes thick and strong, the color turns a deep, dark green, and it fails to enter its "sleep" or molting phase. Therefore, if manure has just been applied to the mulberry field, the leaves must not be harvested. After seven days have passed, there is no longer a restriction.

Sleeping and Waking

Among the insects born from eggs, silkworms have a fixed rhythm of activity and rest. Their rest occurs when they "close their mouths" and stop eating; this is called "sleeping" The dormant state just before a silkworm sheds its skin.. Their activity occurs when they "shed their skin" and seek food; this is called "waking." This cycle is the essential pivot of their growth and development. Among egg-born creatures, the silkworm is considered a "divine insect." Although its sleeping and waking arise from its natural instincts, they must be regulated by human effort to ensure the timing is not inconsistent.

The Silkworm Classic An ancient Chinese manual on sericulture, likely referring to the Canjing. says: "If the sleeping and waking are inconsistent, the silk yield will be halved." Generally, the transition between sleeping and waking takes about one full day and night. During this time, the environment must be quiet and undisturbed for the silkworms to be properly situated. If the timing is inconsistent—meaning some are early and some are late—then the early ones will stop eating while the late ones are still seeking food. If one feeds them at this time, it causes chaos; the movement and agitation will cause those trying to sleep to lose their rest. By the time the late ones have finally fallen asleep, the early ones have already "woken up" and are seeking food. Because the late ones are just beginning their sleep, if one cuts off the food supply and does not provide more, by the time...