Essentials of Silkworm and Mulberry

Volume Two

Gather them on the surface of the leaves and move them into a curtained enclosure, ensuring they are not struck by the wind. If the wind blows on them, their mouths will repeatedly retract, making it difficult for them to spin silk; the northwest wind is particularly dreaded. [If this happens,] the work will have to be done all over again.

One must also not bump or shake the silkworm baskets. If bumped, their mouths will also retract and stop. At first, they simply extend their mouths upward and hold their bodies stiff and motionless; this is called Striking the Sleep-Stakeoriginal: "da mian zhuang" (打眠樁); a metaphor for the silkworm's rigid, upright posture as it prepares to molt its skin, looking like a stake driven into the ground.. Wait a bit longer, and they will "spit pearls." A tiny purple round bead suddenly emerges from the mouth, appearing like a dangling pearl; this is known as "pearl-spitting." Once the silkworms reach [this stage]...

...pearl-spitting, the sleep is established. One should lift the basket and examine it closely. If there are any still crawling about, these are "green silkworms." They must be immediately inspected and removed; this is called Inspecting the Greensoriginal: "xiang qing" (相青); a culling process where the keeper identifies silkworms that are not yet ready to molt so they don't interfere with the others.. Silkworms that do not sleep have a uniquely green color, hence they are called "green silkworms." It is best to use fresh leaves cut into thick strips to lure them away, or thin leaves may also be used to entice them. Following this, take...

...an empty basket and evenly sprinkle mottled chafforiginal: "ban kang" (斑糠); likely refers to husks from rice or other grains used as a dry, insulating bedding.. Take the silkworms that have entered sleep and distribute them loosely within; this is called Distributing the Silkwormsoriginal: "pai can" (派蠶).. The bed of waste and debris beneath the silkworms must be completely cleared away. Your hand should be light, and you must not touch or injure the silkworms' mouths. Then, sprinkle another thick layer of mottled chaff.

Settle them in a quiet, warm place; this is called Planting the Sleeporiginal: "zhong mian" (種眠).. The word "planting" (zhong) is pronounced in the departing tone, meaning to settle them as carefully as if one were planting a crop. This is the method for managing the sleeping period. From the start of sleep until they wake: if the weather is cold, it takes about one full day; if it is warm, it takes less than a day. If you wish for them to wake quickly, you must use the Warm-Waste Methodoriginal: "sha can fa" (沙蠶法); literally "the sand-silkworm method," referring to the use of warm silkworm droppings to speed up the process..

The method is as follows: build a rack of bamboo or wood outside under the eaves to create a shed. Cover the top with reed mats and protect the sides with straw partitions. Let the sun shine through until it is as warm as a roasting fire. Move the silkworm baskets beneath the shed and frequently turn over the silkworm sandoriginal: "can sha" (蠶沙); the mixture of droppings and leaf fragments which retains heat and stimulates the silkworms.. The silkworms, taking advantage of this warm air, will wake in just half a day.