A DISCOURSE OF HIS OWN, OF THE MEANS AND SUFFICIENCY OF ENGLAND, for to have abundance of fine silk, by feeding of Silkworms within the same; as by apparent proofs by him made and continued appeareth. For the general use and universal benefit of all those his Countrymen which embrace it.  
 printer's or publisher's device 
Pro patria pario.    

 blazon or coat of arms   

TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE JAMES, BY THE Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc.  
MY desire to answer most dread Sovereign) the care and study of my parents, so to breed me, as that I might be made fit for some serviceable employment in the Commonwealth, and the remembrance of that matter, whereunto mine earthly part must return, being nothing else but food for worms, hath these 7. years entertained some part of my life, with an earnest or rather burning desire, not only to learn and find out the readiest and assuredst way, how to rear up, nourish, & feed Silkworms, the most admirable & beautifullest clothing creatures of this world: but also the exactest & best means to preserve and sustain them, with no less affection to make good & profitable use of both. Whereunto having in some small measure attained, am willing for the public benefit of so many of my countrymen, as shall as thankfully embrace it, as I lovingly & freely offer it, to frame my labours as motives & means for them: to draw from their proper lands the inestimable treasure of Silk (there till now enclosed & locked up,) ever since the first Chaos. And to the end, that these mine endeavours might purchase the better credit & allowance with your Majesty: have Englished a most worthy & select treatise of this subject, written in French by D'oliuier de Serres L▪ of Pradel, with an annexed discourse of my own continued proofs in England, & the sufficiency thereof, for the yielding of abundant store of pure Silk. Wishing that after this my publishing of them, the thing itself may fructify & increase in such ample measure and proportion here, as it did there, when mine Author had once brought his to view. Which undoubtedly will be done, if your Highness will be graciously pleased to give life & strength to this my slender & weak first-born Imp, that thereby it may grow & spread like the flourishing Cedar-tree of Libanus, to the perpetual, & universal good of all that shall imitate mine example: & the granting thereof likewise by your Majesty, will not only more earnestly stir than therein; but also encourage & egg me on to perfect this work by longer & more continued practice & experience; (if perhaps my through want of further knowledge) of the natures of these excellent creatures, have left any part thereof defective or unpolished. All I aim at is to do your Highness, & my Country service, where in I will perpetually strive with unresistible perseverance to mine uttermost, & will ever pray to God for your majesties long and most happy reign over all your Kingdoms and Dominions.  
Your majesties most loyal and dutiful subject, borne and bound to do you service: NICH. GEFFE.   

TO MASTER NICHOLAS GEFFE.  

AS thou dear friend with they industrious hand  
Reachest this rich invaluable Clue;  
So once Columbus offered to this land  
That from which Spain her now-hie courage drew.   

And had not she provoked by his designs,  
traveled to find what hidden was before,  
ne'er had her Argo's from the Indian mines  
Poured their full paunches, on th' Iberian shore.   

From small beginnings how brave noble things  
Have gathered vigour and themselves have reared  
To be the strength and maintenance of Kings  
That at the first but frivolous appeared:   

So may thy Silkwormes happily increase  
From sea to sea to propagate their seed  
That plant still, nourished by our glorious peace  
Whose leaf alone, the labouring Worm doth feed.   

And may thy fame perpetually advance  
Rich when by thee, thy country shall be made  
Naples, Granado, Portugal, and France,  
All to sit idle, wondering at our trade.   

The tree acquainting with the British soil  
And the true use unto our people taught  
Shall treble ten times recompense the toil  
(From foreign parts) of him it hither brought,   

In spite of them would rob thee of thy due,  
Yet not deprive us of thy noble skill,  
Still let fair virtue to herself be true,  
Although the times ingrateful be and ill.  
MICHAEL DRAYTON.    

TO MA●●ER NICHOLAS Geffe, my esteemed friend.  

Never was yet the subject in this land  
H'as brought to light, like hope as thou hast done,  
Nor set his brains to work; nor moved his hand  
More purposely, than what thou hast begun.   

Whilst greater heads were poring upon toys  
Thine hath been fraught this Island to advance  
With studious care, and intermixed annoys  
And times expense; (full seven ye'res perfectance)   

Hath made us freemen, of thy rich found trade,  
And freely hast imparted unto all;  
The art, skill, means, and way hast open laid  
For to enrich the great ones and the small.   

Spain shall hence forward keep her silks at home,  
And Italy disperse hers where she may;  
The Merchant shall not need so far to room,  
Since thou hast shown a short and cheaper way   

By silly worms, which ever heretofore  
The use to keep with us hath been unknown,  
To draw that great abundant fleece of store  
From them, (by thy discovery amply shown)   

The silken fleece to England thou hast brought  
There to endure till dooms day cut her clue,  
And when thy bones, the worms have eat to nought,  
Yet shall the worms thy fame still fresh renew,  
And ere thy name, thy house, thy stock, thy line,  
Be highly honoured by this great design.  
GEO: CARR.    

TO HIS OWN, WORTHY MASTER GEFFE.  

LEt me (of those so many of our Clime,  
Who stand to thee (sweet friend) in honour bound,  
For thy dear pains conferred upon the time,  
Who hast for us, fame, pleasure, profit, found:)  
Render thee thanks, that cannot speak thy praise,  
Wishing all condign honour to thy days.   

Henceforth the greedy prison shall not eat  
Poor wretches, woeful maps of misery,  
Since in thy work all may some living get,  
By use of much, or little industry,  
Wherein the finest wits their power may strain,  
The grosser, exercise their body's pain.   

Our populous land is free from foreign broil,  
These iron times but little business give,  
Yet now the discontent his head may toil,  
And learn a quiet virtuous life to live.  
A blessed medicine fair Employment is,  
Cu'ring sick minds that else would do amiss.   

Amongst those lands which sing the memory  
Of their dear Children, who with pious care  
Have them ennobled, by th'utility  
Of Arts, that long unto them hidden were:  
Fair England boast's thy birth in happy hour,  
Who to her garland add'st so rich a flower.  
ROBERT GOODWIN.    

THE PERFECT USE OF SILKWORMS AND THEIR BENEFIT.  
IF the silk-worm had been known by the ancient Authors and writers of Agriculture and husbandry, we need not doubt, but the praise of so rich & worthy a creature had been sung by them, as they have done that of Bees: but by such default, it hath remained without name many ages. Virgil discourses▪ as by passing, of the rich fleece that the Forests of Ethiopia, & Setes brought forth, without mentioning the quality or means to gather it See in these words.  

Virg. Georg. 11.  Quid nemora Aethiop●●m molli canentia lana?  
Velleraque ut folijs depectant tenuia Seres?  

The first notice of silk at Rome.  From whence some, as Solin and Sernius, have thought this to be Silk and that to proceed directly of the trees▪ Such hath been the first notice of the Silk given in Italy, which was in the reign of the Emperor Octavius Augustus confirmed by Pliny more than seventy years after, (for he lived in the time of Vespasian) he there to addeth, that in the I'll of Coos, there grow, Cypress trees, Turpentine trees, Ashes, and Okes; of the leaves of which trees, fallen to the ground in maturity, through humidity of the same, breed worms bringing forth silk. That in Assyria the silk-worm called by the Greeks' and Latins, Bombyx, makes his nest upon the earth, which he fastens to the stones, where it hardeneth very much, remaining there conserved all the year, that makes webs after the fashion of Spiders. Aristotle also saith, that in the I'll of Coos, Pamphyllia daughter of L●tous, was the first inventris of spinning and weaving silk, by the which intricate and folded▪ up discourses, compared to the practic of these times, appeareth how far off the ancients were from the true knowledge of the silk-worm, having not known from whence they came, nor how they are nourished, so by their silence they witness, in holding their peace, of the eggs, and the leaves of the Mulberries for their food.  
V●piscus witnesseth, that in the time of the Emperor Aurelian (two hundred years after Vespasian and more) silk was sold for the weight of gold, for which dearnes, but especially for modesty, he would never wear to be all of silk, but mingled with other matter; although Heliogabalus his predecessor was not so sparing, as saith Lampridius. Like modesty is noted of King Henry the second, which would never wear silk stockings, although that in his time the use of them was then received in France. Many others in diverse times, have spoken of the silk, as Solin, Marcelin, and S●r●in●, which name the silk-worm Zir, from whence comes the Latin wood, Siricam, that is to say, Silk, as witnesseth Pausanias in his description of Greece, Martial also makes mention of the silk by these verses.  
Nec vaga tam tenui disc●rs●t aranea tela,  
Tam leave nec Bombyx pendulus urget opus.  
And of the work of Silkwormes Propertius saith, 
Nec si qua Arabia lucet Bombyce puella.   
Ulpian an ancient Lawyer, speaketh of the silk in the title De Auro & Argento Legato, in this sort, vestimentorum sunt omnia lanea, lineaque vel serica bombycina etc. It is a thing received of all, that the inhabitants 
The beginning of the silk.  of the country of Seres, first of all manifested the silk, having brought the seed from the I'll Taprobane, otherwise Sumata, situate under the equinoctial, in longitude from them of forty six, to forty eight degrees of latitude. The country of Seres, so called of a city of the Province, is that which at this day is named, Cattay and Cambalis, in East Asia, adjoining on the West to Scytia asiatic; and of the South to the Indies, governed by the great Cham of Tartary. At the length these things came to light, by two Monks, which brought from Sera a city of the country of Cattay the grain of Silkworms to justinian to Constantinople, (the reign of which Emperor began the year of Christ 526.) from whence the knowledge of rearing and bringing up this creature, is dispersed throughout all Europe. So Procopius hath written after many other. From the city of Panorme 
Where first of all the silk was wrought in Europe, and finally  in Scicile is come the manner to use the silk, where first of all it was showed by the means of certain workmen in this art, brought thither prisoners by ●●ger King of the for●said I'll of Scicile, in the time of the Emperor Conrade. Lastly these excellent sciences have taken footing in certain Provinces of this realm, but by tract of time and distances, not all at once▪  
For as God hath accustomed to distribute his benefits by little and little, so much the better to make us relish his graces: so the knowledge of the Mulberry tree hath first been given unto us, after that the use of it, to the end to make provision of food, before we charge ourselves with the creature.  

In what time, and in what Province of this kingdom.  I will not here reckon the causes and times of their more forward bringing in into this Realm, but in the reign of Charles the 8. in the voyage that this King made to the kingdom of Naples, the year a thousand, four hundred, fourscore and fourteen, some Gentlemen of his train, having noted the richness of the silk, at their return home did affect to provide their houses of such commodity. Afterwards the wars of Italy ending, they sent to Naples, to fetch plants of Mulberries, which they placed in Provence, by reason of the little distance of climates of each country, making the enterprise easy. Some say it was in the borders of such a province, joined with that of Dauphine, where the Mulberries first grew, marking also Alan, near to Montellimar, which was then planted by the means of his Lord, which accompanied the King in his voyage: As the old great white Mulberries yet at this day to be seen, give some assurance. But be it there, or elsewhere, it is certain that in divers places of Provence, Langredoc, Dauphine, the principality of Crenge, and above all the County of Venessaine and the Arshbish opricke of Avignon, (for the great commerce that they have with the Italians) the Mulberries and their service are at this present very well known, there also the handling of the silk appeareth in great beauty; where continually increaseth an earnest desire to plant Mulberries, for the experimented commodity which comes of them. In sum, there the Mulberry is held for the most assured penny falling into the purse. At Toures this business is already received with great profit and applause; and certain years since hath begun to manifest itself at Caen in low Normandy; yet unknown to the 
Silk will come fair & good throughout all this Realm, a few places excepted.  rest of this kingdom, through the careless recklessness of the inhabitants, and to the great shame, almost of all these provinces, seeing that in them the Mulberry, and Silkworm may live and profit. For the affection I bear to the public, I have in the beginning of the year a thousand five hundred eighty nine caused to be printed a particular Treatise of this food and nurture, entitled, The gathering of the Silk, and addressed it to those of the common Counsel of the city of Paris, to the end that thereby their people might be sufficiently stirred up, to draw from the entrails and bowels of their lands, the rich treasure of silk therein hidden. By this means, bringing to light the millions of gold enclosed and locked up: and by such riches to finish the honour of their city, with this last of her ornaments, abounding above the rest in all sorts of riches. Amongst the pleasant places of the void fields of Paris, I have marked Madril, and Vicenes' wood, royal mansions, and very capable to receive and nourish three hundred thousand Mulberries, for the largeness and quality of their grounds, and faculty of the air, the leaves of such trees in their times, may be happily and profitably employed; The appearance of which is great, to draw from thence abundance of silk, for the public commodity, and particular profit of the city of Paris, when by dressing of the silk, it shall nourish infinite numbers of people of her proper inhabitants, and poor and miserable folks, which flock thither from all the Provinces of the Realm.  

What places it desireth.  Where the Vine groweth, there also will come the silk, an apparent demonstration, sufficiently verified by reiterated experiences, in divers countries discordant of climates. Nay going farther, where the Mulberry only lives, without speaking of the Vine, the Silkworm will not choose but profit; as is known not long since, within the city of Leiden in Holland, in the years a thousand five hundred ninety three, ninety four and ninety five; where the Noble Duchess of Ascot caused to be nourished Silkworms with good success, and of the silk which came of them, was made apparel, which her gentlewomen wore, with great wonder of those which saw it, because of the coldness of the country. Histories record that in the time of the ancient Gauls, France brought forth no wine: behold now at this day abundantly provided of so exquisite a drink, by dexterity of those which have opportunly employed their profitable curiosity. Many beasts and strange plants, consent to live amongst us with requisite care, (which former times held impossible) the which every one notes almost every where, without coming to examples. I will not here reckon up the Orange trees, Lemon trees, Pouncitron trees, and other precious trees, which are nourished in all airs and countries, though never so cold, seeing that in such curiosity ●unnes out great expense.  
The care of gathering the silk is not alike, the end of that is profit, not only particular delectation. For there is no heed at all to be taken for the Mulberries which as in the open field, it is only for the little cattle that fears the cold, which would be preserved from it. And what thing is easier to do then that, how cold soever the country be, seeing the Silkwormes are lodged in houses, and not abroad, and also in a season, not altogether cold but in the spring time, and part of the summer? All the hindrance that can be here alleged, is, that the gathering the silk will be more late then in a south country: what importeth that, so one hath abundance of good and fine silk, if one reaps not in the north parts in May and june, as they do in Languedoc and Provence, if they do it in july and August? In like manner, we want no store of good wine in France, though our vintage be not so soon as in hotter countries. The Mulberries have foregone the knowledge of nourishing the Worms, as I have said, in attending the which, many upon hearsay, were constrained in vain to nourish Silkwormes, & have discredited such husbandry, esteeming this cattle can profit but in places where they havebeen of long time naturalizde, whereby, with impatience have extirped and pulled up the Mulberries as unprofitable trees, which before, and at the first report of their worth, they had planted with great affection. But those which constantly have attended the seasons, are proved better husbands, and abundantly provided of Mulberry leaves, then, when the knowledge to guide and conduct this creature is known: an example which is marked at Nismes, & in many other places of Languedoc, serving for instruction of those which at this day will delight in so profitable an husbandry: the which to their contentment they shall find in these discourses, assembled the Sciences, both to dress the trees, and nourish the creatures: whereby they shall be delivered from the trouble of a languishing attempt, and the hazard of ill feeding the Worms.  

Silk brought first into the heart of France by the King.  The King right well knowing these things, by the discourse which he commanded me to make for him on this subject, the year a thousand five hundred ninety eight, resolved to have white Mulberry trees brought up in all the gardens of his houses. And for this effect, in the year following that his Majesty went the voyage of Savoy, sent into Provence, Languedoc, and Vivares▪ Monsieur de Bordeaux, Baron of Colences, general Surveyor of the gardens of France, a Lord accomplished with all rare virtues▪ and by this same way the King honoured me to write unto me, to employ me for recovery of the foresaid plants; to which I gave such diligence, that by the beginning of the year 1601, there was brought to Paris to the number between fifteen and twenty thousand. The which were planted in divers places in the gardens of Tuilleries, where they are happily sprung up. And his Majesty not willing that such treasures should remain any longer thrust together in certain corners of his realm, but that his people should universally relish them, adding to the riches of the peace, which by his means and the celestial favour, all France most quietly enjoyeth, hath ordained by the Commissioners already deputed by his Majesty for the general commerce, should advise for the most easiest dispatches that might be possible, to furnish his kingdom with Mulberries, to the end to gather silk from them; and in going on to establish the handiwork. Upon which, and following his majesties will, after good and mature deliberation, contracts were passed with the merchants upon this subject, at Paris the fourteenth of October and the third of December a thousand six hundredth and two, confirmed authorized, and ratified by Letters Patents of his Majesty, containing the furnishing of the said Mulberries in the four generalities of Paris, Orleans, Toures, and Lion. Also of a certain quantity of seed or grain of the said trees, to be dispersed by the elections of the said Generalities. And for so much more to accelerate and advance the said enterprise, and to make known and divulge the facility of this work, his Majesty caused expressly to be builded a great house at the end of his garden of Tuilleries at Paris, furnished with all necessaries, as well for feeding the Worms, as for the first works of the silk: enjoining furthermore, that all the leaves that mought be found, as well of white, as black Mulberries, already planted in divers places of the said generalities, should be taken by the expertests for this deputed, and employed to the nourishing of the Worms the said year, to the end to give general notice that the temperature of the air, and frankness of the soil are more than sufficient to bring forth silk, in like or better force, lustre, and goodness than that which we have accustomed to receive with great expense, from provinces the most farthest off. All which things have so easily sprung out through the grace of God, and the good success of our Prince, for whom theheavens have reserved all the most excellent inventions of our age, that we must no more doubt, but within short space, by the continuation of his thrice excellent beginnings, France shall see itself redeemed from the value of more than four millions of gold, that every year goeth out for furniture of stuffs compounded of this substance, or of the matter itself, to the end to work it in this kingdom. Behold the beginning of the introduction of silk into the heart of France, where the example of his Majesty hath been joined to his commandments with great efficacy, for the good of his people.  

Into Germany by the Duke of Wittenberg.  And as by commendable emulation, worthy Sciences never rest in one only place, but pass ever forwarder in the spirits of virtuous personages, it is come to pass not long since, that Frederick Duke of Witenberg, a Prince meriting all praise, hath established in his territories, both the feeding of the Silkwormes, and the handling of such matter. The success whereof hath been so fortunate in the beginnings, that those have been constrained to confess the enterprise to be profitable, which before condemned the counsel of it, builded upon the coldness of the country of Germany.  

The Worm brings forth Silk.  But seeing that the silk comes directly from the Worm, which vomits forth all the silk; and the Worm proceeds from the grain, the which is kept ten months of the year, as a dead thing, taking life again in his season. The worm is nourished of the leaf of the Mulberry, the only victual of this creature, which living no longer than six, seven, or eight weeks, more or less, according to the country and constitution of the year (the heat shortening his life, and on the contrary the cold lengthening it) within this little while, by the silk which he leaves us▪ he payeth largely the expense of his feeding. As the nations are sundry which keep him, so is he named diversly. The Greeks' and Latins have called him Bombyx: and at this day in Italy, Caualieri, and Bachi; and in Spain, Glavor: in France, Vers-a-soye; in Languedoc, Provence and there about, Magniaux.  
What earth and what manuring the Mulberry desireth, what seed of worms is to be chosen, what lodging, and what handling the beast requireth, which comes of those, what is his bearing and use, shall be showed hereafter. By which discourses, shall clearly appear the riches of this food: and that the land employed to such husbandry, brings more money in less time, than by other fruits which may be planted on it, at least, whereof one may make any account. 
An audit of the expense, and the coming in of this feeding.   
Commonly, a thousand pounds of the leaves of Mulberries being ten hundred weight, is sufficient to satisfy and feed an ounce of the seed of Silkwormes; and the ounce of grain, makes five, or six pounds of silk; every pound being worth two or three crowns, and more; wherefore ten or twelve crowns come of ten hundred wait of leaves: the which quantity twenty, or five and twenty trees of a mean size will always bring forth; yea a much less number will suffice them, if they be old trees and great, as there are in many places, as near avignon, being so ample and abundant in arms and branches, that one tree will furnish with sufficient leaves to feed an ounce of seed. But because such trees so qualified are very rare, there is no certain account to be made. For the cost of the affair, the fourth of the total is taken: so there remains three parts of liquid revenue, which makes seven crowns and a half, or nine crowns, that twenty, or five and twenty Mulberries will bring every year. I confess that always an ounce of seed doth not make five or six pound of silk, for sometimes it makes almost nothing; when by the infelicity and unluckiness of the season the leaf being ill qualified, by unwholesome nourishment, causeth divers maladies in the Worms, when the pest is rife amongst this cattle; or when their stages are not made very firm where the Worms are lodged, falling upon them are surely killed, or when by other accidents they die. But likewise it is a thing confessed of all those which exercise themselves to this food, that such a year happens, when an ounce of feed will arise to make ten pound of silk and more: and that is then when the race of the creature, his lodging, his food, the time, the hand of the governor, do acccord and agree for the good of this household. And who knows not that corn, wine, fruits of trees, and cattle, of ten times fail by tempests, drowthes, humidities, & other excesses of the year? And who would desist from tilling and sowing the ground, or who would stub up his Vines and trees, or casshier the food of this little beast, for their failing in some year? There is none to be found so brainless and ill advised. It shall appear hereafter that by the government of this creature there can be nothing raised without curiosity, diligence, and expense: For the which things many despise this household, as fantastic, painful, and chargeable. But they deceive themselves, because they consider not, that for moderate hire, one shall find people ●now sufficient exactly understanding this art, which will undergo the charge of all that which depends upon it.  

Of gathering the leaves.  And for to particularize the expenses, I may say, that an hundredth or sixskore gatherers, whereof three quarters, are women, or boys▪ are sufficient to gather all the leaves necessary to feed ten ounces of the seed of the Worms, and to bring them into the place of the cattle, the Mulberries being not far distant from the house as is requisite. To the payment of which work for the quality of the persons, ariseth not to much money. For it is in victuals that the most is consumed. But if the feeding of the leafegatherers trouble you; for money only you may be supplied with their service by the day, or by the gathering, according to the order of many cities where such traffic is used.  

The wages of the Governor.  Touching the governor, his wages are commonly two, three, or four crowns a month, besides his diet: and his charge is to govern the Worms, and to hatch them from their seed even till their silk be made; that is to say, to render it wound up▪ One only man will govern so many Worms as you will, provided he be assisted: the which will be done with folk of little price, seeing all sorts of persons, men and women are capable of it.  

Touching the seed.  As for the feed of the Worms, you are not to reckon up that which they have cost you, because they will restore you enough every year in renewing them, for the conservation of the grain. But here will lie such expense in the rank of that made in the buying of boards and tables, for the skaffolds, as also for the making fit the lodging: these things are to be ordained for the groundwork of this revenue being durable, & without consuming, at the least but very little. And although it is requisite to have every year some small quantity of new seed, to continue a good race, as shall be said, yet is there for that no more expense, seeing that of the sale of the seed, which you shall reserve, you may buy of another for your purpose.  
Upon which discourses making your account, you shall find that much better cheap you shall keep the Worms coming of ten ounces of grain, than five and twenty or thirty sheep: for the which, yea for less number, you must keep a shepherd all the year▪ which are three hundred sixty five days. So by that you evidently see how much the expenses of one cattle differs from the other: And by this reckoning, which of the two makes more revenue, though that by universal judgement the yielding of sheep is very profitable. And doubt not, but that Cato in his answers touching feeding, for to become rich, had meant it of the silk-worm, if 
This feeding hindereth no work of the ground.  he had had the knowledge of it. The feeding of Silkworms is likewise very commendable, because they hinder not any work of the fields; coming in the months of April and May, when they have no other occupation to call them from it. Giving such backwardness, a mean for the master easily to find sufficient people to serve this turn: the which in this time having no other business, are very easy to be had, to get their living, and some piece of money, to come forth out of the back season of the year; whereby the nourishing of this cattle is made more easy, by them only contemned, which know not how much the ell is worth: But for the rest, the licorishnesse of the coin, that they draw from it (without loss of their other husbandry, but as casual accounts) affects them continually, to plant new Mulberry trees, with augmentation of the number, in like sort to augment their revenue.  

Of the Mulberry trees.  The Mulberry trees being the chiefest foundation of this reave 〈…〉 e, that shall be the first whereat you shall level, for to plant so great a quantity, and so soon, that in a short time they may give you contentment. The which you cannot hope of a small number while they are young, for the little leafe-age which they render, till they are come to a mean growth. But to attend while the Mulberries have reached their perfect greatness, and not till then to disleave them, to serve in this purpose, would be to pass your time without tasting the sweetness of this revenue. Wherefore it is necessary to have abundance of these trees, to the end that of many little ones, you may draw as many leaves, as from a few great ones. So without much tarrying after their planting, you shall reap pleasure and profit within a few years. Such a great quantity of Mulberries may be limited to two or three thousand trees; a less number, I think the master of the work ought not to enterprise this business withal: because here is a question of the profit, which cannot grow but of a sufficient number of trees. For the particular nature of the work, it is necessary here to employ it in a great volume, otherwise the play will not be worthy the candle; that being for women, which for pleasure nourish some few of this creature. Yet the master of the work shall not stay here in so fair a way, but shall augment always his Mulberry yard, thereto adding every year certain hundreds of Mulberry trees, for that at the length, plenteously abounding in leaves, he may have wherewith to nourish great quantity of Worms; and the rest also for the succour of his trees, whereof a part shall rest, as shall be demonstrated in these discourses following.  

The 7. book, 7. chapter of Husbandry.  Of the order requisite to plant, and bring up the Mulberries, is not here a question to speak of, elsewhere the Science being showed: but very well to represent the observations necessary for their situation and entertainment; that the trees may be conveniently lodged and governed, to endure long in service. For not taking good heed, within a little time they will fail, as waxing old in their first youth. These trees are so easy to take root, that wheresoever it please you, you may bring them up: but with much more advancement, they will grow in a fat and moist ground, then in a lean and dry. For the quantity of the leaves, it is to be desired, to plant the trees in a good soil, but not for the quality; because that the leaf never comes forth so fruitfully out of the fat earth as out of the lean (having that of common with the Vines) whereof the most exquisite grow in a light mould, so that that land there brings a gross and fulsome leaf, and this here a delicate and savourous; likewise of the nurture of this latter leaf, the Worms commonly make a good end; the which happens very rarely of the other, yet that 
The fifth place for good and wholesome leaves.  is by the meeting of a kindly season. The leaves of Mulberries will be well qualified as appertaineth, if you plant them in a lean place, & far from springs of water, provided that they he exposed to the Sun, for with the Vines, the Mulberries hate a waterish and shadowy situation: in some there will be the most assured food, where thevines grow best. And though that the Vine, & the Mulberries, to compare them together, brings forth more in a strong ground then in a feeble; yet so it is that the little of their bearing being delicate, is more to be prized then the abundance of that which is gross. Adding, that touching this cattle here, one cannot abuse nor deceive him in giving him meat, contrary to his nature, for either he will refuse to eat it, or eating of it will never do well. And this his delicateness, turns to the profit of his master, which employs his lean grounds in Mulberries, and by consequent occupies not his fertile plowlands, which remain to him frank, and not charged with these trees: of which the importunity is very great oppressing by the roots and branches, almost all sorts of seed which can be sowed near them. But to think also to plant Mulberries in a base and infertill ground, that should be a falling into extremity, grossly deceiving once self, for the little growth they will make although they take there; their tardity giving you cause enough to repent you of this 
Where to plantthe Mulberry.  counsel. These shall be then the places where you shall edify your Mulberries, which you shall judge proper for the vine; that is to wit, in a soil of a mean goodness rather dry then moist, light then heavy, sandy then clayey. Such a ground will bear leaves to your desire, and in a mean quantity whereby you shall have sufficient, by the way of numbers of trees, amplifying them as hath been said.  

How to dispose the Mulberries for woods in ranks.  Fron four to four fathoms, or from five to five, in all paths to the line, you shall plant the Mulberries if you will make forests of them & desiring to dispose them by ranks at the borders of your plough lands, or about the sides of other possessions; they may be planted somewhat nearer together without restraining than too much: the which cannot be done without great loss to the trees: one may very well amplify the distance, as much as one will, for the Mulberries cannot be set too far a sunder, seeing the apparent profit that the air, the Sun, & the amplitude of the grounds, aids to the growing great of the trees, and goodness of the leaves. But for that, the only sides and 
By allies.  borders of arable lands, Vineyards & other parts of a demeans moderately large, do not suffice to receive a great number of Mulberries requisite for abundance of food: and that elsewhere, the leaves of the trees which are within the thickets, is not so good as those about, because they neither have sun nor winds at liberty. A mean between these two extremes hath been found, conveniently to plant the Mulberries, for the profit of their leaves, and without hindering the tillage of good lands; that is, to plant the Mulberries amongst the lands, in double racks equally distant two fathoms and a half, being of like measure espaced one tree from an other, the two ranks making one alley, and to dispose the allees in length and cross the field, intercrossing one another, leaving great square plots empty, every one containing an acre, or more if one will, there to sow corn, which will be reaped without being trowden down by the gatherers of the leaves: But these will be the allies, which only will suffer the treading down, where for their small occupation of ground, the loss of the corn will not be great. It will likewise be necessary to plant the trees in such sort, that they be not one right against the other, to the end not to enterpresse, rather that he of one rank be set against the empty place of the other, by that they will have air enough to grow flourishngly by the aid of the Sun, which will remain free for them on the sides of the great squares. In the which, not only may be commodiously sown corn, but also planted vines where they will profit; being not there too much cloyed with the shadow of the trees, yea spread with pastures, having but given to the trees 4 or 5 years, for to root. For by the manner of the parted land, of the allies, well tilled, and sometimes dunged the Mulberries will profit enough. For the hard turf of the pasture cannot much hurt them, seeing it joineth but on one side. So shall the Mulberrie-yard be directed, with much profit for the good of the leaves, and without any thing hindering the demeans; which so furnished with Mulberries will remain most pleasant to behold, so will they spread and amplify, so much the better, the more often the master shall visit his land, as to that he shall be stirred up by the easy walks in these fair allies, in which, if it seemeth him good, he shall sow some grains, as oats or field pease, which will always pay for tillage of the ground.  

The sorts of the Mulberries.  There are two races of Mulberries discerned by these words, black and white, discordant in wood, leaf and fruit: having nevertheless that in common to spring late, the dangers of the colds being past, and of their leaves to nourish the Silkworm. One sees but one sort of the black Mulberries the wood whereof is solid and strong, the leaf large and rude in the handling, the fruit black, great, and 
Three colours of fruit of white Mulberries.  good to eat. But of the white, there is manifestly known three species, or sorts, distinguished by the only colour of the fruit, which is white, black, and red, so separately brought forth by divers trees, bearing all nevertheless the name of white. This fruit is little disagreeable of taste, for his flashie sweetness, whereby it is not edable by others then by women which have lost their relish, children, and poor people in time of famine. For the rest they resemble all three one another, discording nothing by themselves; neither in leaves which they bring forth of a mean greatness and a smooth feeling: nor in wood, being yellow within, as that of the black Mulberry, and almost as firm, by reason whereof all these Mulberries are proper and fit for joiners work. The leaf coming of the black Mulberries, 
The silk takes his quality of the leaf.  makes the silk gross, strong, and heavy: on the contrary that of the white, fine, weak, and light: so different through diversity of the nature of the leaves, wherewith the Worms are nourished, which they yield of their work. For which many desiring to compound these things in hope of profit, feed the Worms with two sorts of meats, by distinction of times; that is to say at the beginning, with white leaves, to have the silk fine; and in the end with black to fortify it, and make it weigh. In which always they meet not: sometimes the changing of the meat, as of the delicate, into gross, being not agreeable to the Worms which are importuned and cloyed with it. Nor shall it be to purpose for the gross founding which one would give to the silk, holding a contrary way, to begin by the black leaf and end by the white. So such mingling of meats is not received in the great feedings of the Silkworms, but only where the leaf of the white Mulberry is rare, invented for necessity. For the most assured, it shall be all of one victell, wherewith we will nourish our Worms, and that of the most profitable, which yields to silk; the which how much the more fine it is, so much the more prized, and in the ensuing so much more money it giveth, the end & period of this business. And yet though that the white leaf makes the silk feeble and light, you must not for that set it behind the black: seeing the same discords not so much in his qualities from that coming of the black leaf, but that there remains force enough for the most exquisite works, and weight sufficient to bring in reasonable sums. This is in comparison of that silk there, that this is held light and weak: such being the difference between gross and subtle things. Nevertheless one must not be so scrupulous, as utterly to reject the black Mulberries for the silk, but only for the mingling of the food, it being not permitted in the nourishing of them, but by constraint, as I have said. Touching that which remains, there are countries where they are very profitable for this business: as in divers places of Lombardy, and hitherwards in Anduze, and Alez, and in other places towards the Seuenes of Languedoc, where great profit is made of the silk which comes of the black Mulberries. And although that such sorts of silk for the grossness, be but of little price, in respect of the other, yet leaveth it not for that, but to bring in a good revenue, considering the quantity. jointly that for the sale, it is found necessary, though it be course, in many works in which it is employed.  

The white Mulberries grow faster than the black.  If your land be already planted with black Mulberries, keep you there without affecting yourself to accompany them with white, for the reason alleged: but being a question to begin the husbandry, having not any Mulberries, of one sort, nor other, preferring the better before the good; you shall always choose the white for your Mulberrie-yard. In which it seems that nature herself incites us by the fore growing, that she hath given to the white Mulberry beyond the black: it being an assured thing that the white Mulberries do more easily take, and grow then the black, advancing more in two years, than the other in six. Besides which commodity, the branches which by that speedy shoot they bring forth, is cut at times, as wood, augmenting the revenue of such trees.  

How to choose the best kind of Mulberries.  Among the white Mulberries yet there is choice: By the searching out of some, it hath been found that the leaves coming of the white Mulberry, bearing the black berries are better than any other. Of which curiosity making use, we will furnish our Mulberrie-yard, if it be possible, only with the Mulberries of such sort, to the intent that in our nurture, nothing be wanting. Nevertheless as the humours of men are divers, some hold that the leaves of the trees bearing the white Mulberries, are the best: proving their opinion by the poullen and swine, which never delight in the fruit of the Mulberry trees bearing red and black berries, but through want of others, by that deeming them most delicate. Above all be sure to banish from your Mulberrie-yard the leaves too much indented, for besides that, it is an apparent sign of small substance, it abounds not so much in food, as that which hath 
To graft those Mulberries which have need.  less nicks. Wherefore the remedy is to inoculate such trees in the bud or scutcheon having need of such freedom, whence the profit which comes of it is great for this food; seeing that by this means, the little of the naughty and wretched leaves, may be converted into abundance of substantial and good, with as much advantage, to change in orchards, by like art the savage and wild fruits, into manured and good, a notable article and point for this husbandry. This enfranchising may be practised to your wish in Mulberries of all ages, young and old, in those here, on their new shoots of the precedent year, the trees having been then poled (or without so much delaying, to have disheaded them in the month of March, & june following to graft them) and in those there upon the smallest trees of the nursery. To graft these trees in their tender youth is much to be prized, for the advantage to be had in making the Mulberry ground entirely affranchised. For providing that certain hundred of trees may be grafted, it sufficeth once for all, without constraint to return back again; so that the nursery be always kept full; the which is done by planting the branches coming from the grafts, of the which so many trees will grow up, as there are branches couched in the ground, and of those afterwards others coming forth, are of the same planted infinitely; from which, the trees coming of them for ever are furnished with excellent leaves, sweet and great: and by consequent exempt from all wildness; exquisite and abundant in nourishment. See what places and trees you are to choose for your Mulberry yards, to the end to have abundance of good silk.  

To gather the leaves for to be given to the Worms.  For the order which one is to hold in gathering the mulberry leaves, for the victuales of these creatures, consisteth the second article of this work, for to make the trees of a perpetual service. It is to be noted, that to pluck off the leaves brings great damage to all trees, oftentimes even causing them to die: but seeing that the Mulberry is destined to that, it naturally supporteth such tempest better than any other plant: yet nevertheless you must go to it very retentively, for to disleave the Mulberry inconsiderately is the way to scorch them, for ever, to cause them miserably to die in languishment. Every one confesseth that to gather the leaves with both hands, leaf after leaf, without touching the shoot, is the most assured way for conservation of the trees; but yet the most expensive, because of the great number of necessary persons for such work. For to spare cost, the vulgar proceeds in an other sort, which is in stripping of the leaves by handfuls, the which cannot be done but that often the branches are barked and slived, whereby at the length the trees perish. And also this gathering corrupts and soils the leaves, to the detriment of the Worms, when in taking them after the fashion, as they use to milk kine, one crushes them, as though one would make the juice come forth: and most oftentimes with unclean hands, causing them to have an ill smell and savour.  
These losses may be prevented, if after the uses of 
In cutting them off with shears.  certain places in Spain, the leaves be gathered, by shearing of them from the trees with great tailors shears: the which cutting many stalks at once, and that falling upon sheets spreed under the tree, the expense being moderate, as by being directly carried to the little beasts, without any sorting, as necessarily it behoveth to do before to employ them, in separating that which is spoiled, from the good, and the young springs with it, which for their tenderness are hurtful to the Worms, seeing that in using the shears one spares the tops of the trees, taking none but the well qualified leaves. Of this invention one cannot indifferently be furnished every where, but only where the situation of the trees favours the work, fitly to spread the sheets, receptacles of the leaves, nor likewise in windy nor rainy times; the which is committed to the discretion of the worke-master, for to employ it finding the commodity. For want of which clipping one may draw the leaves the most gently that one can, and with the smallest detriment of the trees that may 
It behoveth their hands be washed before they gather the leaves.  be possible; the gatherers of the leaves shall wash their hands before they touch them, and shall repose them in very clean sacks, to the end they may be preserved from all soil.  
The trees suffer less when one clipes them, than 
The danger of the leaves which are not well governed  when one disleaves them otherwise: nevertheless although one goes to it very vigilantly, it is always with their loss, whereby at last they perish, pulling every year the value of their leaves unmeasurably, that their vigour decays. The which is the principal cause that the keeping of the Worms is not always of like yielding, the one as others, seeing other then good leaves cannot successfully nourish these creatures. For that cannot be good which comes of a tree ill governed in taking of the leaves, but only that tree which having been well handled during the precedent years, remaineth vigorous. For so those deceive themselves, which without taking near heed to this, sink themselves in this business. From thence proceeds the most frequent defaults of this food, and not of the nature of the work as scrupulously, nay superstitiously and fantastiquely many of the vulgar ignorants hold, that they cannot meet well two years together for some hidden imperfection, that they hold to be in this creature, that some gives without any reason, taking for their lodging no heed to the things 
It shall be good to disleave the trees but once in two years.  aforesaid. To the end therefore to assure this business, for one which ought to have pre-eminence, you shall advise touching the Mulberries, in placing and governing them as I have said. And going on farther, to have so great a quantity of these trees, if it be possible, that the only half may suffice for your food, which shall be disleaved while the other will make ready for the next year following. After the imitation of arable lands, enter changing every year, the Mulberrie-yard divided in two parts shall serve, and rest; whereby the trees will be maintained in perfect state, abundantly to furnish with good leaves for many generations, as well for the trees not to be so much tormented in their branches as by this resting, there roots will have to be tilled without expense, for that the cost of ploughing will arise from the corn which one sows in that part of the resting ground (remaining from the annoyance of the Mulberries) the which only one shall sow with corn, leaving the other unsowen the year of disleaving your Mulberries, so much the more easy to gather the leaves of the trees, without laying the corn; as without such order one should do in treading it down, by this means drawing the worthy yielding both of the trees and ground. 
〈…〉 which comes of it.  Over and beside this notable commodity there is joined, that then when by lucky food the leaves ordained for the Worms, want, as some times that happens with great displeasure and sorrow to see them perish through famine, the Worms are happily succoured with the leaves which one takes of the trees that rest, here & there, in many trees and in divers places, without damaging them in such quantity as is requisite for the perfection of the enterprise: and also that under the Mulberries all sort of seeds can hardly thrive, for the hindrance of the roots and branches of these trees, as hath been said; yet so it is that the loss will be less, the less the corn being there is trodden down; as freed from such tempest, it will remain which there shall be sown in the manner aforesaid, the yielding of which, although it be but little, will defray the tillage, whereby in this place you shall do that which you desire, that is, you shall keep in good temper the roots of your trees.  

What seed to sow under the Mulberries with smallest loss.  Of all grains those which most constantly endure the detriment of the Mulberries, are, oats and field pease, although one be constrained to tread them down, for the gathering of the leaves, yet cannot one do them great hurt, by reason that the blades of these grains will be then backwards, when the trees shall be disleaved, having not yet much grown, which also somewhat helps them, having pressed them to the earth; a thing which cannot be done to wheat, rye, nor barley, by reason whereof one cannot sow them conveniently in the Mulberryyard but by constraint. But to sow nothing at all in the Mulberrie-yard, and yet less, not to till the ground, for the good of the Mulberries, would be too expensive; which will be spared by the way aforesaid. To soil these trees is likewise requisite; it is 
To soil the Mulberries.  to be understood of those which by the leanness of the ground remain in languishment, the which by such handling, are helped to continue their service, the want of doing the which will cause them to fail 
The leaves of the old Mulberries are very good.  before their time. Experience shows that the leaves of the old Mulberries, are more profitable & healthful for the Worms, than those of the young ones; provided that they be not fallen into extreme decay, but retaining their ancient vigour, having yet some remainders of strength; communicating such quality with the Vine, which brings better wine, old, 
When the leaves of the young ones are good.  then young. And as the Vine gins to bear good wine after the seven or eight first years of his planting; so likewise the Mulberries in the same age▪ open the gate to their assured revenue, so that from thence ever after, one shall not fail to draw from them their hoped-for service. Many nevertheless at this day do not tarry till this term; using without delay all sorts of leaves, even of the youngest Mulberries, being yet in the nursery, before their replanting. But it is with more uncertainty of a good issue than of that growing on trees already grown to perfection, according to the more common usage.  

When and how to prune the trees.  So soon after you shall have bared the trees, of their leaves, you shall cause them to be pruned, in cutting off all that shall be found broken and writhed with tempest of disleaving, to the end they may put forth to shoot afresh, the which without that, they will never do well, but languishingly. The last gatherers of the leaves shall be then followed foot by foot, with a couple of men that shall so dress the Mulberries, the which shall cut the dead wood, the disbarked branches writhed and shivered: likewise the tops of all the others, in what part of the tree soever they be, above, or on the sides; for to constrain the trees to clothe themselves afresh, and of this new shoot to bring forth for the next year after abundance of leaves, tender and delicate. And whether it be in gathering the leaves, or in pruning the trees, it behoveth you to be careful to bare them entirely, without leaving them any leaves: for fear to turn back their liberal new spring an observation; that practice hath taught a little while since, against the custom, which was, not to touch the shoot, thinking by that to give growth to the trees; but the effect is seen clean contrary. Using such order, they will not tarry to spring out most vigorously, so that they will leaf again in such sort, that within one month after, one will say there hath not been a leaf touched, and this shall be done equally, that they may new apparel themselves again without any deformity, that never agreeing with the old leaves. But with much more efficacy if the grounds be watered in this time then, for tempering the heat of the season with water to relieve the trees, and give them new force, whereby it happens, that of their springing again of leaves, nearly compared to their after crop, one may make a second nourishment of the Worms with success, as some fortunately have attempted; the which nevertheless is not approved, not so much for to be very incertain, such food happening in the greatest heats of the summer, contrary to this creature; as for the assured loss of the trees, being not able to suffer double disleaving in one season. For besides that our Worms are never well disposed, fed with leaves growing in a waterish place, as I have related, a distinction shall be made of the times of watering the Mulberries; to the end not to make them drink, but after they are disleaved, not before; whereby, without doubt of naughtiness, the leaves will yield themselves well qualified. Under such consideration you shall employ the benefit of the water during summer, by that causing so much succour to your trees, after their great travail, as in the drought all sorts of plants find comfortable the opportune watering, a particular observation for the South countries, not for others which never almost water.  

The means to gather the leaves, the rain falling on ●hem or threatening.  The rains happening on the course of this food, strangely hinder the Worms, as if they chance towards the end of their life, then when they are in the greatest force of devouring: for that the wet leaves do breed them dangerous diseases. The most common remedy for that, is to make provision of leaves for two or three days, perceiving the time to be givent to rain, for it is as well kept good, provided that one lays it in a neat place, fresh aired, and for to preserve it from getting of heats, oftentimes a day turning it upside down. And although that the rain press not, yet what fair weather ever be, one ought never to remain without leaves: not so much for fear to have need, as for the quality of the victual, in so much that it is better being a little kept, as twelve or fifteen hours before it be given to the creature, coming directly from the trees. If the rain pressing drives you back from gathering so many leaves as you need, make recourse to this short way, which is, to cut the branches of the Mulberries that you destiny to be disheaded the next year: the which with all their boughs, you shall make to be carried into the house, where hanged as raisins under the bearers, planchers or other covertures in an airy place, as in barns and haylofts, being then almost empty, their leaves will dry well and quickly; yea in the one and the other you shall find much more perfection, then by any other way whatsoever. For neither to winnow them with clothes, nor to dry them at the fire, are not of such efficacy as is this means: by the which, besides that it wins much time, because there needs nothing but certain strokes with a hatchet, for to take all the leaves of a tree. Do not doubt that that will discourage the Mulberries, but that on the contrary doth rejoice them, so quickly putting them to shoot forth more strongly, whereby they win time; for the ensuing year, such hasty cutting causing their great increase of branches. In the which, although it seemeth that the hot season is contrary for such work, yet so it is, that experience manifests daily the nature of the Mulberries, yea of many other trees, to endure to be cut in the summer. For the which commodity joined the saving in this business, resolve you not to cause to be gathered the leaves of your Mulberries in any other fashion that you shall deliberate to pole the first, keeping them for the rainy days, as hath been said, or the time remaining fair, for the end of the food. The same reason hath place for the trees which you are resolved to prune, them disbranching their superfluous boughs, when you shall see there is need of leaves, the time being rainy or not, as one does to dishead them. A thing which you shall find to come to good purpose, for the great spoil of leaves that the Worms make in that time, being then their greatest devouring, attending that with moderate labour, and much facility, abundance of victual is furnished for them. The winning of time is adjoined to this business, because that the morning bestowed to this disleaving, (otherwise lost by reason of the dews, during the which, it is forbidden to touch the leaves,) for that the branches of the Mulberries cut with their boughs, being the afternoon before carried into the house, are disleaved very early the morning following, the which one bestows in the work, and that is done in tarrying till that by the Sun, or winds, the dews be cleared from off the trees. 
To dishead the Mulberries.   
All the injury that one can do to the Mulberries, in disleaving them, is helped by the cutting off their branches, (a remedy serving almost for all the maladies 
In the 7. book 27. of husbandry.  of the trees, as is said of the fruit trees) that is to be understood, taking from them all universally, polling them or cutting off their heads, as one does willows, whereby in small time they renew again: for their branches grow great and strong, to serve as afore. Wherefore it is at the end of a certain time, that one lops the Mulberries, which is then when one sees them to consume by too much travail. The term is not restrained to certain years, the only faculty of the earth ordaining these things, making them to put out, and bring forth again more wood in one place than in another. Nevertheless one may say that almost every where, from ten to ten, or from twelve to twelve years, that will be reasonable to practise, for the good of this affair: and by this means, to lop the Mulberrie-yard every year of the tenth, or twelfth part of his trees. In dishedding the Mulberries, one shall leave them long snagges, over-growing certain feet of the forkednes of the trees, or otherwise, as it shall best accord with their capacity: serving themselves in this place with very sharp instruments, to the end not to disbarke nor shatter the trees, and to make the cut very right, which shall be aslope to cast off the annoyance of the rain. The time of this business is even as the lopping of other trees, that is, the winter to be passed, the sap beginning to enter (not before for the reasons alleged elsewhere.) In a fair day, not in a windy, misty, nor rainy; for the Mulberries shooting in like manner as other trees, yea so vigorously as any other plant have commonly the season of felling.  

When to lay the bill to them.  But because in the Mulberries is considerable the lease, the chiefest of their revenue, it is requisite to be vigilant to lose nothing, if it be possible, the which one shall come unto in delaying to cut them until May, or in the beginning of june, then when it behoveth to employ the leaves: By this means, one hath service of the leaves the same year of the cutting of the trees: the which one cannot do without this backwardness. And although that for the disbranching of them in such season, the trees bring not forth that same year so great branches, as if one lopped them in the months of February or March, the time being a little shortened of their growing, it inportes not, seeing there is as much gotten for the year after: in the which such branches though they be but little, yet having won the advantage, grow great marvelously, whereby the trees in a small time are amply spread again: yet that against the precepts of art, constrained by necessity, that one cuts the trees in rainy weather and without regarding the Moon, as is fit, they are of so free and good a disposition.  

What time of the Moon is to be observed.  Touching the age of the moon it is handled diversely according to the diversity of the grounds that governs such actions. By the heavenly influence the Mulberries pouled in the increase of the moon, brings forth their young shoots long without spreading branches, and in the wain, short; with many little branches crossing the principals. For to compose the things, (having election of the time without constraint) we will dishead those of our Mulberries, being in a lean ground in the new Moon, and in the last quarter, planted in a fat ground. So those there will be furnished with new shoots, as long as the feebleness of the grounds will permit them; and these here, through the force of the grounds, will conveniently regain that, which to purpose they would not cut in the increase, by reason that their spirie branches being not kept back by the little shoots, will lengthen too much, whereby bending down they will deform the trees; those remaining empty in the midst after the manner of palm trees, that being not to be feared in the rest by reason of the leanness of the grounds, which never causeth them to shoot out too abundantly. By this means they will put themselves in wood again, nevertheless some more than others, according to the goodness of the soil: but not any so slowly, but that at the tenth year they will be capable to begin again their accustomed service; provided 
It behoveth to blow the ground of the Mulberries.  the grounds be tilled as appertains. For in vain one should travail exactly to entertain the Mulberries by their branches if one makes not account of their roots, whereby at the length they fail; as in such error those fall, which to spare the tillage, plant their Mulberries in meadows, where they impair. In which they deceive themselves, because they consider not that the Mulberries left in untilled grounds, cannot bring so many nor so good ieaves as those which are tilled. And although there are seen many fair Mulberry trees in meadows, the answer is, that the earth is fat, & in ensuing, if not contrary, yet at the least, not at all good for the Worms: or being lean, the trees will not dure long through lack of tilling. The assured means 
In the vi. chapter the xxvii. book of husbandry.  that there is to dress a Mulberrie-yard, thick spread with boughs, and to keep it without expense, until a reasonable greatness to serve well, is represented hereafter in the discourse of the fruit trees; that is in planting the Mulberries in ranks by line and level, from four to four, or from five to five fathams; and in the same ranks to plant Vines amongst them, low, or propped according to the usage of the country: the which by labour will bring their fruit without alteration, fifteen, or twenty years; when being oppressed under the shadow of the trees, they will fall under the burden: than one shall pull them up, to leave the place free for the trees, which will only occupy it; and so one shall find to have brought them up for nothing. The which shall be to finish the discourse of the victual of our little beast, for to make them their lodging.  

The lodging of the Silkwormes.  It behoveth also to dress a lodging for our Worms with such commodity, that they may easily▪ do their work, for to yield us abundance of good silk. The which one should hope in vain, lodging them in a place unproper and contrary to their nature: for as they cannot be deceived in their food, without manifest loss; no more can they suffer an ill habitation. And as one must not enterprise to plant the vine, if he be not forthwith provided of cellars and vessels for the wine: so this would be to no purpose, if one should plant the Mulberrie-yard, without afterward, to give quarter and place to the Worms. All such like habitation desire they, as men, that is, spacious, pleasant, wholesome, far from ill scents, damps and humidities, warm in the cold time, and fresh in the hot; near the foundation, nor under the lathing of the coverings near the tiles, one must not lodge the silk-worm, because of the intemperateness of these two contrary situations, whereby the one may be too moist, & the other too windy: too hot, & too cold, according to the seasons. Nevertheless that is to be borne withal, so that one can erect the lodging of the Worms on one only stage near the ground, provided that the plot-form be erected three or four feet, for to avoid damps, and over that that there be boards close joined, to the end the creatures may be kept aloof from the tiles, the approach and nearness of which is always hurtful unto them, because that the winds and colds pierce through them, & the heat of the Sun is there insupportable, when it lights 
The reckoning up of the fitness of the lodging for the Worms.  upon them in his force. If for the capacity of your house, you can commodiously be fitted for room to feed them in, it will be great ease to you, and you shall spare the cost to build new lodgings expressly for this: making your account that the Worms coming of ten ounces of seed, will be nourished at ease, within a haul of seven fadomesin length, three in breadth & two in height; upon which advice you may ground, for to dispose your house to such use; or being to build it new, you may amplify your edifice with some members: the which by this means will be very well represented, and will be so much more convenient, as for the little beasts you shall have more augemented it: when after having occupied it some small time, it will remain free to you the rest of the year, to entertain and receive company. 
Their dispositions.   
But let it be within or without the house of the master, which desireth to nourish these creatures in, it is very requisite their chambers and hauls be to be opened on both sides, opopsite one against another, of the East to the West, or of the North to the South: to the intent, that the air and winds having free passage through them, may refresh the Worms, that then being ready to perfect their work are upon point to stifle, through the silk wherewith they are filled, and the great heat of the season. Taking heed nevertheless, that the windows be so well glazed, or papered, that one may shut them in any other time, so properly and so well, that the colds cannot enter, being as prejudicial to the Worms in their beginning, as the heats in their ending. These creatures also desiring to be in a light place, willingly not suffering the dark, from which they creep away seeking the light, the inner part of their lodging shall be pargeted and entirely whited, that the Rats may not eat through the slippery walls, leaving not there any chinks, crevesses, nor holes, for Miso, Rats, Creckets' nor other vermin, enemies to our Silkwormes. The haules or chambers shall be 
Their movables.  proportioned with tables necessary to rest on these creatures, the which one shall make of all sorts of wood; the best whereof is the most light, for his easy handling. Some prefer before boards of any wood whatsoever, the tables made of reeds or canes, cleft or whole: not only for the ease of their lightness, but also for the health of the cattle, which are fed upon these canes, or hurdles made of them, so that there is a certain air piercing through them, keeping them cheerfully and without offensive heat. Upon which it behoveth to distinguish prudently, such air being not always proper to the Worms, but only to be chosen at the end of their life for refreshing them. To that purpose also the wild reeds and bulrishes of marish places and pools may serve, yea rye straw, which is got for a 
How to set up the scaffold to hold the Worms.  small price. In like manner, linen, stretched with little tacks upon light wood, is used with ease in this steed. Many pillars of carpenters work, directly squared shall be perpendicularly erected from the ground to the ceiling to support the tables, bearers of our Worms, the which shall be set upon little ioysts crossing the pillars, planted of equal distance on these pillars sixteen or eighteen inches one from another. The tables being so ranked in such measure, the Worms will be fitly served. But the boards shall not be of equal breadth, but one shall exceed the other four fingers; the lowest next the floor, being the most largest; and the highest approaching the ceiling, the most narrowest, whereby the scaffold which shall be composed of all together will be made in the fashion of a pyramidis, to the great advantage of the worms, the which by such disposition shall be preserved from ruin, when wandering by the edges of the tables, from one end of the skaffolds to the other, seeking a fit place to vomit their silk, they fall from above, down upon the floor, where they squat in pieces. A loss which one need not fear, the tables being in such sort fitted, for each to reoeive the Worms, falling from his higher next to it, the which are not offended at all through the little distance of one table to another. The breadth of the most lowest table, shall be limited even to this proportion, that easily of one side a man with his hand may reach to the middle, for to tend the Worms. As for the others, their diminishing will make easy the serving them, by measure as one shall go up on high, and shall approach near the ceiling. Many of such skaffolds shall be erected in every part, hall or chamber, after his capacity, and in such manner, that any touch not the walls, for fear of rats: and likewise for to be able of all sides to give victuals commodiously to the creatures: between the which skaffolds one shall leave way large enough, easily there to pass and repass. One shall also take careful heed, to make very firm the skaffolds; to the end that the Worms growing great do not cause some part to fall, (as heretofore that hath chanced me with loss,) and that they do not shake by the weight of the ladders which are set against them, going to visit the creatures, but shall remain assuredly firm unto the end, for that cause sparing neither wood nor Iron. There are divers sorts of ladders which are made for this service according to fancy. Some make boards about the scaffolds, upon the which one goes as by galleries, for to tend the Worms, making them round about: one goes up to them by little stairs, appropriated to this. Others make high forms and long of light wood, so much the more easy to be removed, as need shall require. Others do not use any other touching this, but a common ladder. But what ladders, or mountings so ever they be, all are good; provided, that they serve to this business, so that without too much pain, by them one may fitly go to feed and visit the creatures.  

The grain of Silkwormes.  The end of these provisions, is the silk, the which so much the better, and more abundant you shall have, as the seed shall be better chosen. A common consideration with all sorts of sowings for the difference that there is of seed, to seed. For what ought you to expect of bastard grain, but bastard silk, what good leaves soever that you have, each thing bringing forth his like? With great curiosity then let us search the most profitable grain, rejecting that, the worth whereof is suspected; In the proof consisteth the most sure knowledge of this seed, though there be many directions to discern the good, from the ill. Amongst all the seeds of Worms, whereof we have knowledge, till now, we have held that of Spain, for the best, fructifying very well, through all the provinces of this Realm, where they make a trade of this feeding. That of Calabria, since certain years, hath won the repute, not so much for the goodness of the silk that it brings forth, as for the abundance that comes of the cod which is great, in respect of that of Spain. And although they both be hard, an assured sign of abundance of matter, and by such reason one is to be preferred before the other: the quality winning the prize, the seed of Spain shall be held in the first rank, in expecting that by reiterated proofs, we cannot reasonably set it behind any other. As for the grain which of long time is naturalised in the provinces of Languedoc, and those neighbouring parts, one must make no great account of it, neither for the fineness nor for the quantity of silk that it makes: for how exquisite soever the seed of silk Worms is, transported from far in to such quarters, it doth not continue long in goodness, but degenerates at the end of certain years: the grain which is directly brought from Spain, the first year it doth not so well, as the three or four years following: the which being passed, it beginneth to decline in his goodness. In the grain itself, is also known of the changing by the time, and in his body, and in his colour. For coming directly from Spain, it is little, of a dark tawny colour; and kept, waxeth great, and grows bright, till then, that at the term of certain years, it becomes grey, as grey cloth. The grain of Silkwormes of they Seuenes of Languedoc is so qualified, the which as well for their proper natures, as for being feed with the leaves of black Mulberries, brings forth cod or bottoms great, and soft, by consequent smally furnished with silk, of an orange colour, or gold yellow, manifesting the grossness of the silk from the difference of the fine coming of the Spanish seed, the Worms of which have been nourished with the leaves of white Mulberries, and the most part of bottoms are white, incarnadines, of the colour of flesh. Behold the judgement, that one can make of the knowledge of the goodness, of the seed of Spain: the best of which will be the smallest and most dark of colour; provided it be alive and not child with cold: the which is proved on the nail, in all seeds of the Silkwormes: accounting for good, that which breaks in cracking, casting forth humour and moisture. The littleness of the grain of Spain makes the number of Worms, the which joined with the hardness of the bottoms cannot choose but make abundance of silk, which for his fineness is of great request. Indifferently all seed coming directly from Spain is not such as you shall desire, there being countries in that kingdom better for this, some than other: and that the more honestly to make it up, there go rather trusty, then deceitful persons. Of the which particularities you shall take heed, to the end so much the more profitably to end your feeding, as with 
Every four years to change the seed.  more art you shall have begun it. Wherefore this article is notable, that after the imitation of good husbandmen, it is necessary to change the seed every four years, or from other term to other, according to the reason of experienes. And for to do that with less hazard, it shall be fit to have every year, some ounces of new seed of Spain, the which set apart, you shall conserve carefully, and so long as you shall find, for the proving, his worth to merit. By which resolution your feeding will keep a good course, and without confusion, maintained always in good order and estate. You must not furnish yourself with old seed for his infertilitie, that being of no worth which passes one year. And though that the keeping of the seed, of this creature be difficult, because that naturally of itself it hatcheth in his season, yet so it is, that avarice hath so much gotten, that by deceitful invention certain impostures forcing nature, conserve the seed a long time without hatching: when they cannot sell it in time they keep them in little bottles of glass, in a cool place, as within deep wells, hung down with cords near the water, during the great heats, so keeping them more than a year, to the loss of those which by it.  
Some before they put to hatch the grain of Silkwormes, steep them in the most exquisite wine 
To imbibe the seed in wine before you put them to hatch.  they can get, Malmsie or other, finding by such proof, that the good, as the most heavy, goes tooth bottom, and the naughty for his lightness swimes above, by reason whereof it is rejected. After the good is taken out of the wine, it is set to dry in the sun, or before the fire, laid upon very clean paper, covered with white linen, or smooth paper, to the end that too much heat hurt it not; after it is put to hatch. And not only serves such steeping to distinguish the good grain from the naughty, but also to legitimate and fortify the good, to make the Worms come forth free and strong, and for to cause them to hatch almost all at once; according to the practice of hens eggs, which for the same cause are plunged in water a little before that one puts them to hatch. A commodity which one cannot hope for of the light grain, but to hatch late (or not at all) whereby the Worms continue slow to all their works, to hatch, to feed, to spin: yea subject to diseases, being not able to suffer any accident; but almost always languishing, not only die they by little occasion, but infect the best qualified of their next neighbours. To which danger he exposeth himself, that without distinctions mingles together the good seed with the ill.  

How to hatch the grain.  To hatch this grain under the armpits, or between women's paps, is not a profitable thing; not so much for fear of their flowers as some think, as for the shaking it to and fro: which they cannot do withal, carrying the seed about them, but that they tumble and mingle it; happening at every minute that the Worms willing to come forth of their eggs, are misturned by one pace or step of them which carry the seed about them, overwhelming all one upon another, to the loss of the creatures which are stifled in the throng, though but with their like. Setting this article the farthest off, it is most requisite to keep curiously the seed during all the year, preparing in good time, easily to hatch them in the season. Having recovered them, either of your own, or elsewhere, you shall lodge them within boxes of wood well joined, garnished within with paper on the crests, to the end that through them no seed go out; nor any dust, vermin, nor other offensive thing enter in the box; but that the grain may remain there neatly. You shall put these boxes within chests, or elsewhere amongst clothes, except linen, which because of the moistness of such matter, is hurtful to these, there to remain until the season for to employ them; and to the end that they feel not any molesting damp, nor cold during such remaining, it is requisite continuing winter, to make fire in the chamber where these chests shall be: for being more hot than cold, the grain is there prepared aforehand, as you desire; which it would not do, if after the order of some, one should keep it within viols of glass, the coldness of which substance makes them to hatch late. These necessary observations have learned us never to expose the seed of these Worms (no more than the Worms themselves) to the mercy of the colds: but to reserve it so together as one can from the humidity and frosts. For to do this effectually chancing to send for it into Spain, or elsewhere, it shall be done during summer: by this means, shunning the incommodities of Autumn and winter, it will come to you well qualified, and very good if it be brought by land; by sea the thing being not without hazard, because of the foggy damps, and other ill qualities that it hath, contrary for such seed, so as the loss of many, (with reason) makes us to fear such danger. The long keeping of the seed with you, helps to naturalise it in your air, whereby it hatcheth better and rather than having not at all abide with you: wherefore it is requisite to furnish yourself of seed immediately after the gathering of the silk, if it may be done, to do it without any delaying; you must abstain from visiting too often the grain of Worms, especially the spring approaching, for fear that by such curiosity, one treads not awry to his loss. The time to put to hatch this grain cannot be directly ascertaind, for that the season being forward or backward, entirely governs the work; causing the shooting forth, or stay of the Mulberries, the only victual of these creatures. This 
In what time.  shall be then the true point, that then when the Mulberries begin to bud, not before, to the end the little cattle at their hatching may find meat ready to live on, and of their own age, (as the child of the milk of his mother) and not to be troubled through want of Mulberry leaves; fearing to let them die for famine you shall feed them with the buds of nettles, with young lettuce, or with the leaves of roses, & like druggeries. But being fallen into such necessity, the best shall be to serve them with the leaves of Elm, somewhat edable by the Worms, by which they receive secure, for some sympathy that it hath with that of the Mulberry. Foreseeing which trouble afar off, it shall be requisite to plant a certain small number of Mulberries in the hottest place of a garden against some sunny bank, and there by good dressing, dunging, and watering, to hast them to bud quickly, by such artificialness hastening his slow nature. And this shall be for to shun the loss of the little beasts, when being newly hatched, the leaves of the Mulberries are universally spoiled by frosts or mists happening unawares (as that was seen in Languedoc, Provence, and in those bordering places, these years past) if one keeps such Mulberry trees, purposely to this particular service, sheltered against the perverse time, after the manner that the prudent gardener keeps his precious plants: the which Mulberry trees preserved from such tempests will feed the small cattle, in attending while the others have sprung forth.  

The danger of too hasty or slow hatching the eggs.  And as by too much hasting one falls into this danger and in consequence by famine in peril to lose the little beasts in their beginning, likewise to delay the hatching of the Worms, puts them to hazard of death in their ending, when by such backwardness their climbing happens in a very hot time, contrary to their nature, because that being then heated, through the silk wherewith they are filled, they desire nothing but refreshing, easily to end their task. Such difficulties are provided for by the means of the hastened Mulberries, above mentioned, the which furnishing timely leaves you shall in like manner hasten to hatch the Worms, which they repay at the end of their life, whereby they will remain so much more assured, as you shall less fear their coming in the time of the great heats. The remaining colds of the winter being not so unseasonable at the beginning of the life of these Worms, as the heats at the end of the same: for that in the colds there is some remedy for the succouring of the Worms, which is in keeping them in a very close place and warmed with embres, during the sinister times of cold; but against the heats other is not found than the fitness of the lodging, the only means to safeguard these creatures from such annoyance.  

What time of the moon is proper for it.  The course of the moon is also observable in this action; the Worms desire to hatch & spin their silk during the increase of the Moon; for that they find themselves more able; than in her wain. But that cannot accord every where nor in every time, for the diversities of regions, and seasons, hotter or colder, some than others, lengthening or abridging the life of these creatures. If you are in a place where the Worms are eight weeks ere they work, as commonly they do in a place more cold than hot, or in a time extraordinary chill, the thing will so fall out, that in like time of the Moon as they hatch, they will also spin. Wherefore coming at the first quarter, they will be then spinning: but where through the benefit of the climate, their nourishment is more forwarded, as towards Avignon, & throughout all her neighbouring parts, being not farther remote than forty, or five and forty days: it is impossible so to dispose this affair, for the inequality of the days. Wherefore leaving the success of the end in the hand of God, their nourishing shall begin in the increase of the Moon (if nevertheless the leaves of the Mulberries will permit it, which lays the foundation of this business) for that the Worms fortified in their beginning, by the influence of such a Planet, forthwith go cheerfully on in augmenting it, ma king them to come from the second or third, until the fift or sixth day of the new Moon, the cluing of these creatures according to the last computation will happen towards the beginning of the wain of the Moon, certain days after her full, which having then force enough, communicates it sufficiently to the Worms.  

To prepare the boxes before to hatch the Worms.  For to hatch the grain at the time named, you must remove them from their first vessel, into boxes of wood, lined within with cotton or with fine tow pasted to them; after that the said cotton shall be covered with a white paper, to the end to contain the seed warmly and without loss: on the top of the seed one shall put a little bed of tow, and over that a paper thick pierced as a sieve, with little holes, every one capable for a grain of millet only to pass through. Through the tow, and the pierced paper the Worms coming forth of their eggs shall go, afterwards having left the shells under the tow, they go to fasten at the leaves of the Mulberry, set to this purpose over the pierced paper, from whence being taken they are transported and lodged elsewhere as shall be demonstrated. 
To keep the boxes warm with the seed in them, and to visit them often to withdraw the hatched Worms.   
And to the end that that come so to pass as appertaineth, it shall behove you to help the Worms to hatch in adding to their natural heat this device of art. One shall keep continually the boxes within a bed, the curtains close drawn between two featherbeds, moderately heated with a warming pan every two hours, without sparing the night, one shall visit them, for to withdraw the Worms, by quantity as they come. Such frequent visiting is necessary, as well for that cause, as also to renew the heat of the bed, in warming it oftentimes, to the end 
To lodge them in sieves and to keep them warmly.  to keep the seed equally hot, for fear that by slothfulness, leaving them there too i'll, they should catch cold, to the ruin of the Worms. From the boxes one shall take the new Worms, for to rank them in sieves, with paper at the bottoms, or other vessels appropriated to receive them in their beginning, and for fear to hurt them in removing, asto that their tenderness subjects them, one shall touch nothing but the leaf to which the Worms being fastened 
They shall be used to the air by little and little.  with that they shall be lifted up & lodged in vessels. There they shall be held during certain days, whilst which you shall by little and little accustom them to the air, to the end the violence of the change cause them not to perish. As on the contrary they will by too much heat, if one advises not to temper them by reason, going from degree to degree, keeping them less warm one day then another, by measure as they advance in time, without retrograding, that is to say, not to bring them nearer to the heat, having begun to keep them aloof, for fear to parch or stifle them, until that age discharge 
They shall rest upon beds, the curtains being close drawn for certain days.  their governor of such pain. The sieves, great boxes or other receptacles, covered with linen, garnished at the bottoms with paper, shall be put to rest upon beds, with the curtains drawn, for to shield these little creatures from the winds and colds, till the four or five first days of their tender youth, from thence forward they shall be transported into a little chamber, hot and very close, out of the force of the wind, upon perfect clean and neat tables covered 
Afterwards taken forth of the sieves in a warm chamber laid upon tables.  with paper, there for to begin to hold their rank. One shall lodge them very near one to another, to the end that so pressed with unity, they may conserve their natural heat: that which they could not do, being a far off in their beginning, until that, when they shall grow great, more ample lodging be given them. But it shall be under this necessary observation, 
Without confusion of age or kind.  not to mingle confusedly the worms. It rather behoveth to distinguish them, by the times of their ages, for the importance of this food, touching the ease, and the sparing. For if from the beginning this point hath been provided with curiosity, assembling the Worms by the days of their coming, without entermingling them together, one shall see them without disorder to agree together, during their lives in all their works: in eating, in sleeping, in spinning, with much pleasure, accompanied with profit, for the abundance of silk which will come of them, the aymeof this business. Through want of which singularity there will happen confusion to your food, the old Worms never sorting with the young; the one desiring to sleep while the other eat, and to eat when it is a question to spin: but with the aforesaid disposition the work comes to a good issue. By such distinction the races are separately preserved, as is most requisite; to furnish one's self with the sorts of this cattle, according to the opinion, one shall take of their worth by the effect of their work. In steed of sieves and great boxes, 
The Spanish Garbilloes.  which we use in this turn, the Spaniards fits themselves with vessels which they call Garbilloes, made of straw, osiers, rushes, or other light matter, which they plaster within with ox dung, wherewith they make pargeting: which dried in the Sun makes the vessels to smell of a savour agreeable to the Worms, and sufficiently warm. The which qualities joined with the capacity of the vessels, makes them serve them long enough. For that is till their third change, that they keep the Worms there; framing these Garbilloes so great, and furnishing themselves with such abundant number, that it sufficeth to satisfy their purpose.  

A very fit lodging for the Worms in their first beginning.  For more ease, a lodging for the Worms shall be expressly erected for to keep them joined together, nevertheless by distinct separations, until their second or third change, if one will: where they will be conserved warmly, & out of danger of Mice, Rats, dust and other injuries, with more assurance than any where else. That is, after the manner of a great press or cupboard made with many stages distant one from another four fingers, or half a foot, on which the little cattle shall be put, without any whit bruising them. These stages shall be as it were little planchers, composed either of light fir boards, or of some other proper for this, or of cloven reeds, or long straw, and set so fitly that one may separately draw them out and in at pleasure, in sliding them as tills easily to visit & tend the small beasts. And they shall be pasted with oxedunge after the Spanish fashion, if one so desires it; seeing such curiosity hath been found profitable, to the end that nothing be wanting in the rearing up of our Worms. The lodging shall be compassed about with linen clothe tacked to the doors, as paper windows opening and shutting of three sides; and before the foremost door a little window to give vent shall be added; in shutting of it at need to keep them so much the warmer, or in opening of it to give them air as one will. So with much commodity the Worms shall be lodged in their first time, which is then when they have most need of it, passing in assurance these gliding paces of their tender age, where many perish through want of good habitation: for being fortified with time, they shall be taken from thence, and removed into more spacious lodging, as shall be showed.  

To cause them to come within few days is necessary.  It is to be desired that the Worms come forth all within four or five days distance from the first hatching until the last▪ those never lightly making good end which tarry longer, but miserable and sluggish end their life in languish oftentimes without profit. Wherefore it is, for that that one provokes the seed, warming it with curious diligence, as hath been showed: using which order, little seed remains unhatched. You shall not then make any account of the grain which shall be remaining in the said boxes after the said term, nor of the Worms likewise that shall be so backward: but rather reject all that as unprofitable. Such hatching of a company is one of the most notablest points of this business, whereby finally with saving, the profit issues according to the project, because that these creatures taking life almost in the same day, are more easily handled than if they were of divers ages. I have also said that they suffer 
This creature fears the cold and the heat.  much by the colds, and by the heats in all their ages: for in their youth, the cold troubles them strangely, having great power over them, being the most weak and delicate cattle which is fed: and in age the heat kills them. When in their greatest force, you find them big and unwealdy, through the silk wherewith they are filled, which constrains them to seek fresh air. By contrary remedies one provides for 
The remedies.  these things: but with less difficulty one dresses the Worms in the cold, than in the heat, that is, in hol●ing them straightly in the beginning, and largely at the end, by little and little according to their age enlarging them; finally to put them for altogether at their ease on the skaffolds. In the mean while employing to purpose according to accidents, the warmings by the aid of the fire, and the refresh by opening of the windows of the house.  

They have four naturally and ordinary diseases.  The Silkwormes during their life change four times their skins, (as Serpents do once a year) which causeth them so many maladies; during which, they eat not at all, but unmovable they do nothing but sleep, passing so their ill. These diseases, (for these reasons called of the Spaniards Dormilles,) are comparable to these of young children, as small pocks, measles, shingles, & other that in necessity they have in their youth, of which they are helped being well looked to. So by good governing our Worms are saved from these necessary mischiefs, shunning the danger of death: nevertheless with more difficulty in the latter, then in the first, through age in being more oppressed old then young, as it happens to men, which having not had in season the diseases of youth, being strucken more late, more dangerous is 
They have also accidental diseases.  also the issue. Besides these ordinary diseases, the Worms have accidental diseases coming of the time, the meat, the lodging, and of the government: the which one helps using particular remedies, as shall be showed. In the care of the ordinary ones there is no point of skill, you must only abstain from giving them to eat, when they refuse their meat, and to give them moderately, their appetite being come again; always to feed them with good leaves, and to keep them neatly. The first malady, (being diversly called) as a change, a drowsiness, or a benumbing, happens at the eighth or tenth day of their coming forth: the eight or ten days following them one after another, more or less, according to the climate & quality of the season, of which the heat shortens the distance of these terms. To which also serves the goodness of victuals, and diligent care; for so much more as one gives to these creatures of leaves well qualified (if so be they will eat them,) so much more shorter will their life be.  

How to know their diseases.  The sickness of these worms is known first of all by the head, which swells then, when they will change, insomuch that in that part their skin gins to peel, but more apparently in their last benumming then in those that follow, not being able almost in the first to discern what it is for the littleness of the creature. While their drowsiness hath seized them you must refrain to give them meat, (for that would be but lost labour) only one shall cast them some pittance to sustain those amongst the drowsy ones, which wake; the which by this means discerned shall be separated from the others, for to be assembled with those which are of equal age. Each disease holds them two days, at the third beginning to get their health again: the which one knows by their feeding which comes to them with much appetite; then one shall give them victuals again, but sparingly, to the end not to fill them to quickly, augmenting their ordinary day by day as one shall find them affectioned to eat.  

Their diet limited.  Twice a day, morning and evening, at certain hours one shall serve the Worms with meat, from their hatching, till their second change or drowsiness, so limiting their repast. Fron the second to the fourth and last, thrice a day: & from that till the end of their life, four, five, or six times a day: (and in some,) so much as you please, and that you shall see the creatures can eat. For than you must spare no food, but rather cloying them, to fill and satiate their appetite, hasting them by much eating to perfect their task. And as the vessel will never run over, except it be full; so these Worms will never vomit their silk, till their bodies be satisfied: the which engendering of the leaf of the Mulberry, all is as soon found ready to be spun, as the quantity of the leaves destined by nature to such work, shall be dissolved. By such carefulness there is no more leaves wasted, then if one distributed them scarcely: for that within eight days, the Worms will eat near as much, by little and little, as within four given them liberally. Then this is without occasion that one should fear the expense, seeing that on the contrary by such liberality (besides all well counted, it expendes nothing more) comes this sparing, which winning 
The qualities of the leaves very considerable.  time, the cost of the feeding falls out less. Afterwards one shall mark very curiously the qualities of the leaves, as an article bearing sway in this food. For all leaves are not proper for this, though they be producted by Mulberries without fault: happening sometimes, that by extremity of drought, or moisture, mildew, heat drops, and other intemperatures of the time, all the leaves, or most part of the trees become yellowish, spotted, or speckled, a sign of unwholesome and pernicious food. Of such one must make no account, no more, then of that growing out of the Sun, within the the interior parts of thick treees, or in shadow valleys, nor of that which is wet, by rains or dews; but rather it behoveth to reject them, as infected, not using them at all, for fear of killing the Worms. The leaves of the second spring, one shall put in the same predicament, that is to say, those which shoot afresh, on the trees already disleaved, which the ignorant employ for want of other: but with too much hazard, because of their malign substance, contrary to the creatures, happening through the ineguallitie of their ages. For there needs but one repast to be given them, to make them all perish of the flux, that such new leaves, will bring them; because that by their tenderness the little beasts, eats them with so avidous and greedy an affection, that they fill themselves till they burst. Wherefore this shall be for a maxim, that the Silkwormes shall be always 
A notable maxim.  fed with leaves of their own age, to the end that by good correspondency, the leaves be as tender, and hard, as the creatures shall be feeble, and strong, according to the time of their ordinary come. The fault of the wet leaves, is corrected by patience; for one must but tarry till the rains be past and the dews dried up, to gather the leaves, going to work after the Sun shall have shun certain hours on the trees; never before. But for the others which are ill qualified there is no means to correct them, from which, as pernicious food, you shall abstain. One shall not need to take care for the expense of these precious creatures, during the first three weeks, because of their youth, and littleness of bodies which makes them be contented with a little, & yet that little taken in the lost parts of the trees, as of the body, of the succers amongst the good branches, and elsewhere, from whence for the profit of the trees, also one should cut them. At the beginning, one must go to the leaves with handkerchiefs, afterwards with little baskets, then with great ones, and finally one employs, for this victualling both mands and fackes, increasing their food, by measure as the grow in age.  


The governor of the Worms shall keep himself neatly.  
Shall drink wine before to come near his flock.   I have shown how necessary it is for the leaves to be handled with clean hands, for the danger of foulness▪ Of this point the governor of these magnificent creatures shall beware, for himself to be an example of neatness, to all those which he hath under his charge, to the end that any of them, approach not otherwise, then appertaineth. The governor shall not forget to drink a little wine early in the morning before he goes to work, for that in communicating the smell of such liquor to the Worms, it preserves them from all stench, specially from the naughty breath of folks (more strong being fasting, then after eating) which these admirable 
The Worms shall not be visited with many folk.  beasts fear much. Wherefore the entering of their lodging is not to be indifferently permitted to all sorts of persons, by that shunning the harm that too free frequenting brings to the creatures; which the superstitious vulgar, sottishly attribute to the eye, believing that there are people with by their looks brings ill luck to the Worms; but it rather is, nay, assuredly, the breathing of the ill breath which causeth 
Their lodging shall be kept neatly, it shall be perfumed sometimes.  them, indispositions. For which considerations, the lodging shall be swept every day, and to keep them sweet you shall often sprinkle the floor with vinegar, after to strew it with some herbs of a good smell, as with lavender, spike, rosemary, time, savoury, penny royal, and such like: adding some times, perfumes, made with frankincense, beniewin, storax, & other odoriferous drugs, which shall be burnt on coals in the halls and chambers. The tables 
The tables often made clean.  in like manner, of the Worms, shall be often made clean not suffering the cattle to rest long upon the litter, the which one shall take away every third day, or every fourth, after the second change, or benumbing, for to keep them especially sweet and clean, then when as the soultrie heats approach, whereby they are pestered: until that time, being not requisite to go to it so curiously, for the litter during the colds, is rather profitable than any ways hurtful to the Worms, keeping them warm amongst it; foreseeing also, that one deceives not himself with such sluggishness, in leaving there to much.  

Remedies against unexpected colds.  Unawares sometimes violent blasts of after storms returns, against the attempt, and course of the season, very offensive to our Worms. These accidents are remidied, by keeping curiously shut all the open parts of the lodging doors and windows even to the least: and in warming it within, with hot coals in diu●●se places. The sloth of the governor hath laid this taxation on our Worms, that they are esteemed stinking, wherefore many abhors them; Those are the casting of their skins, and their dead carcases, intermingled with the litter, made with the residue of the leaves which the Worms smells of, from whence proceeds all the stink which one finds in the chambers: not of these noble creatures, the which of themselves smells nothing at all, no not their very dung, no more than sand, having naturally in as great detestation filth & infection, as they love sweet and good smells, using the order afore mentioned, one shall not only govern these delectable cattle with profit, but their habitation made pleasant, and sweet smelling as the shop of a perfumer shall be found a place agreeable for good conditioned folks. So will it be for Ladies and Gentlemen, for whom these excellent creatures travail.  

Necessary maxims.  That then the governor of our Worms strive to be diligent in his charge; that he suffer not inconsiderately his cattle to be visited of all comers, with too much liberty, for fear that by fraud, some mischance happen them: that he keep the lodging clean; that he spare not perfumes, for to bestow them fitly; that he be scrupulous of the leaves, not to distribute them to the Worms, but such as be perfectly good; for this cause that he give command to the gatherers never to go to work before they have washed their hands, and that he have an eye unto it: that he suffers, rather his little beasts to be a hungerd, then by impatience, to feed them with leaves ill qualified.  

The requisite order to remove the cattle.  In taking away the litter all at once, the ●●ttell is removed from one place to another, to their great contentment. For to do that commodiously, at one end of each scaffold shall be left an empty place for to put the Worms on, that one shall take adjoining to that; in as much of the breadth of the table, the which by this means being empty, will receive the Worms of the neighbouring part, and so of those that follow, whereby all the continuance, in the scaffold will be uncovered, and covered again, course after course by portions; after the manner of drying hay in meadows, overturning it; the full part filling the empty. So without carrying the cattle far, they shall be gently put near their lying; and this will be without touching them at all, for fear to offend them, because of their delicateness; if at the instant that one would change them, from one place to another, one gives them meat; for it behoveth not but to take the leaves, at which so soon as ever the Worms shall be fastened, to lift them up, & without resting them in any place, to lodge them all at once where one desireth. It will be needful to dispose the tables in such a fashion, that without shaking by separated pieces, one may easily take them all out, and put them on the skaffolds again, to make them easily clean. For by this means, pulled out of the skaffolds as drawing tills one after another, one shall strike them against the flower, to the end to discharge them of filth: afterwards one shall sweep and brush them perfectly well.  

So much the more longer that the Worms live, so much the more space it behoves to give them, and to rub the tables with wine etc.  In measure that by age the worms increase and grow great, they go from day to day occupying more place; wherefore it is necessary to keep ready fresh tables, to the end to receive those, which you shall separate from the throng, and to put them all at their ease, for to fructify very well together. For it is a thing well experimented, that a few Worms fed at large, makes more silk than a great number at a strait. You shall cause the tables to be rubbed with vinegar, or with wine before they be put on, and with sweet herbs to encourage them. As also they are delighted with the smell of leeks, garlic, or onions, if you accustom them to it in their youth; against the opinion of those which hold that these strong smells hurt, having not well experimented them, this doubt being sufficiently cleared by proof; and you shall not only rejoice your Worms by agreeable smells; but you shall succour them in the most part of their maladies. Touching which we will 
The causes of the maladies of the Worms and their remedies.  speak of their diseases, and of their remedies.  
The extremities of the colds and heats, the too much or too little feeding; and the feeding them with naughty leaves, are the principal causes of the extraordinary maladies of these creatures. If they be annoyed by reason of cold, one shall succour them by warmeth in shutting the lodging, as before in perfuming it with frankincense and other sweet matters: to the which perfume some adds lard and sausages cut in little slices, the smell also of good wine, strong vinegar, and Aquavitae comfort these creatures having caught cold. If on the contrary they are overcharged with heat, you shall recover them with fresh breath in opening the doors and windows, for to give entrance to the air and winds, passing through the chambers and halls, breathing the inward parts to the great contentment of the Worms, setting them in good liking by this only and little remedy. The lodging being not so well disposed as is necessary, the Worms shall be carried by tables forth into the air, to make them gather breath, half an hour before Sun rising. The diet is the true means to heal those, which by too much feeding are become diseased; one shall give them nothing for two days together, the which being passed, they shall be fed very moderately, and a little at once: As also little and often it behoveth to give them meat, which through famine are become languished, for to restore and satisfy them, without over-gorging 
A very dangerous disease, and  them. The disease is much more difficult to cure, of those which have been fed with ill leaves, as with yellow, spotted, or too young. For oftentimes of this, as first hath been said, there happens the flux, and of the latter the plague most assuredly. Of this disease the Worms becomes all yellow and spotted with black bruisings; which you perceiving never so little, fail not to remove them diligently into another chamber and separated tables, for to assay to save them by good handling, or at the least to shun the contagion from the rest of the flock. But hold for 
This here incurable.  desperate the healing of those which with the marks aforesaid, you shall see to be bathed on the belly, by a certain humour flowing in that part of their bodies, which you shall take from the rest, as meat for poultry. As perfumes help to cure all the maladies of these creatures, so to remove them from one chamber to another, is generally healthful for them, by such change being restored to wont vigour. The Worms will not fall into any or few of 
The profit of curious diligence.  these diseases, if their governor handles them with skill and diligence aforesaid; in which besides the hazard of losing all, is spared the trouble: being much more easy to prevent these maladies by foresight, then to cure them by medicines. At which one shall first level, to the end that by negligence, one be not deprived of the hoped-for benefit of this food. Carefulness being most requisite in the managing of these notable cattle, which constraineth them that have them in charge, not only to be near them all the day, but to bestow a good part of the night, to secure them at all occasions, the which curiously 
To drive away Rats, the destroyers of our Worms.  one shall endeavour. The Mice, Rats and Cats, do great spoil to the troup of our Worms, when they can come by them, eating them with great appetite as most exquisite delicates. Against such tempests, for a singular remedy, one keeps lights during the night about the Worms, whereby the inner part of the lodging being lightened, the rats and cats go not but with fear. And are at the last chased and feared away, by the sound of little bells, which one rings there. Both with the one and the other one shall be fitted, disposing the lamps in the places requisite, in divers parts: also the bells and other engines making noise, put in a place easy to remove them. But all that is but in vain if often times in the night one goes not round about the cattle; to which purpose the lights will serve, which lightning the room, will be a means to go and come easily through all. In the mean time, you 
That no oil touch the Worms.  shall beware that any oil fall not upon the Worms. For there needs but a drop, to offend them much, through the maladies that the oil engenders them. Preventing the which, one shall not use any oil to watch with, but in lamps fastened against the walls: and for portable light to tend the creatures, tallow, or wax candles, or of other substance according to the countries.  

To make ready the matter, for to spin on their silk.  By such managing, both of the food, and hand, within seven or eight days following, after the last casting their skins, or drowsiness, your Worms will dispose themselves to pay the expense of their diet. The which foreseeing in fit time, you shall cause to be prepared necessary rods, for the climbing up of the Worms, to vomit their silk, fastening their webs unto them. To assemble the Worms (so called in such work) many things are good, but not any green bows, for danger to offend the cattle, they waxing fresh, placed in the work, as they will do, the time being given to rain. The most proper matters, are Rosemary, Kneeholme, cuttings of Vines, Broome, shoots of Chestnut trees, of Okes, Osiers, Salowes, Elms, Ashes; & in sum, of all other trees or flexible shrubs, having not ill smells. In application of the rods, one goes to work diversly, according to the sundry advises of men. After having evened the foot of the rods or branches, to the end so much the less to trouble the place, one shall rank them directly, as ranks of columns equally distant a foot and a quarter, little more or less, crossing the tables from one side to other. The feet of the twigs shall join to the tables beneath, and the heads shall meet the tables above, under which, their length shall be bended, whereby will be fashioned the arches. By such disposition, the stages will resemble, like galleries made of arches, with many stages surpassing one another, as amphitheatres a thing very pleasant to behold. The empty place, between the two arches joining to the table above, shall be filled with the sprigs of lavender, spike, thyme, and the like sweet smelling shrubs; according to the commodity of the country, for to serve doubly. For in this intermixing of twigs, the Worms shall have choice of place, firmly to fasten their rich matter, as to that they are very difficult, going to it fantastickly, and there they are as it were perfumed by the agreeable sent of the shrubs, whereby they travail freely in such place to the profit of the work.  
At the seventh or eight day then, that your Worms shall be come forth of their last change or disease (such a disease being very properly called a change, through the great sickness they then endure, more vehemently then in any other, oftentimes to die) you shall remove them to the tables, so furnished with twigs without looking to shift their places or litter any more. There you shall feed them as accustomedly, that is to say, with all abundance, without denibiting them till then, that you shall see the most lustiest Worms to enter the roods, which is when they take their course to get up; which perceived by their extraordinary countenance wandering through the troup, in skattering, without making account of the meat, and a little after you shall see them to climb by the feet of the twigs, forsaking their food, going to vomit, or rather to spin their silk. From that time you shall begin to diminish their ordinary, day by day, in the end for to give them nothing at all; when they shall have united and grafted with the twigs, all the troup will have forsaken the table, or few will fail, none remaining behind but the latter and idle ones. In this time is known those which were long a hatching, by climbing up the last: being a necessary consequence, that the first coming forth, are the first spinning. And as there is no great reckoning to be made of the hatching later; no more behoves it to make account of the idle Worms that climb not. Wherefore at the end of three or four days, that the first shall have taken the twigs, you shall take 
To gather the idle ones together.  away the rest from all the tables, for to assemble them in one, and so to nourish them till their end. So the forward and the backward Worms will spin their silk: the which they cannot do fitly when without such distinction the latter should cast themselves on the work of the foremost, with great loss, and this apparent danger, that before these had ended their work, the Butterflies of the foremost by such 
How long time they bestow to spin their silk.  longness, already form in the cod, should not come forth to the detriment of the enterprise. Two or three days the Worms have to perfect their cods, bladders, or bottoms, (diversly named according to the places) at the end of which they are utterly finished, as one shall know in curiously approaching near them with the ear; For as these creatures make some little and pleasing noise in feeding, so likewise do they make a sound in fashioning their cods; the which noise they give over, ending their work.  
Behold the silk made, this is not for all that the end of the labour of the Worms; for it is by the grain that they end to work and to live, finishing their life by their dear seed which they leave us, for to renew themselves by every year, and by this means to conserve for us the possession of the silk as to their heirs. Miracle of nature, A Worm to be shut up in his bottom of silk, is there transformed into a Butterfly! He employs ten days to that, at the end of other ten days he comes forth through a hole for this effect piercing the cod, from whence disimprisoning himself, he returns to the view of men, but that is in his new figure of a Butterfly: males and females accouple themselves joint together, the female lays her eggs or grain; ending so their labour with their lives. And that which augments the wonder, is the long abstinence of this creature, living twenty three days without taking any sustenance, also deprived of the light, for the time which he remains within his bladder, as in a close prison.  

An admirable creature.  But to enter into discourses on the qualities of this animal, to the which are manifestly wanting, flesh, blood, bones, veins, arteries, sinews, bowels, teeth, eyes, ears, skailes, back bones, pricks, feathers, hairs, except on the feet a little fine thrum, resembling down, and other things common almost to every earthly, watery, & airy creature: it would be too much to philosophise, such contemplation ravishing human understanding, even in this, that this Worm one of the abjects creatures of the world is ordained of God to cloth Kings and Princes: in which is found, sufficient argument to humble themselves. And this same one particularity is to be marked, that she yields the rich silk all spun, ready to be wounded off, vomiting quite made, the thread; whereof she composeth her bottom, with extreme care and affenctionate labour. The which is not communicated neither to wool, cotton, hemp, nor flax, wherewith men apparel themselves; but with skill they must prepare them for to bring them to the point to be spun.  

A strange mean to be provided of Silkwormes without seed.  Hear it is to purpose to show the subtle art that man hath invented, for to repair the defect of grain and seed of Silkwormes, happening that it should be lost. A thing drawn from the secrets of nature, and found out with great curiosity, like to the production of Bees; whereof the Ancients have written (as heretofore I have said.) In the spring-time a young calf is shut up in a little dark stable, & there fed only with the leaves of Mulberries twenty days, without drinking at all, or eating any other thing during this time; at the end of which, it is killed, and put in a tub there to rot. Of the corruption of his body comes forth abundance of Silkworms, which one takes with the leaves of Mulberries, they fastening uno them: the which fed, and handled according to art and common fashion, bring forth in their times, both silk and seed as others do. Some making short the expense and the way of such an invention, have drawn this here. Of the leg of a sucking calf, a slice weighing seven or eight pounds, and laid to putrefy in a fresh cellar, within a vessel of wood, amongst the leaves of Mulberries, to which the Silkworms coming forth of this flesh, take hold on: from whence being taken, they are handled as a foresaid. I offer you these things under the credit of another, in attending that the proof gives me matter to assure you that which it is: Complaining myself in this place of our predecessors, with Pliny, as he did of his, in this which they said, that a vessel of ivy could not contain wine, and not one of them had experienced it. I represent you these things, I say, for that such creation of Silkwormes happening to be true, and thereby finding the advantage we may be freed from the trouble to send to seek the seed in Spain and elsewhere, renewing the care to provide it every year. If there be question to discourse thereupon, I shall say that such engendering of Silkworms is not incredible, seeing that all corruption is the beginning of generation. We see daily, that of putrefied things issue divers vermins, according to the divers qualities of the matters. Of the Bull, and, according to writing, of the Lion, is engendered the Bee: of the Horse, Hornets: and of human flesh, the Serpent. The Ancients hold, that two sundry sorts of Wasps are engendered of the Horse and of the Mule; through the diversity of these two creatures, as I have said in the precedent chapter, and of Asses, Drones. And whether they be meats, clothes, household stuffs, even unto woods, every where in the land, in the water, and in the air, in moist places and dry, one finds that nature creates little beasts, worms, and gnats, with so much admiration, as the Creator is admirable.  

The knowledge of the maturity of the Worms.  Some few days before the Worms begin to climb the twigs, to vomit the silk, they manifest their purpose by the brightness of their bodies, which becomes shining and translucent, as grapes waxing 
Of what colour the silk shall be. The distinction of the sex of this creature.  ripe: by which point one knows somewhat after the colour of their bodies, the colour of the silk, which they will make. Then one marks the Worms to be diversly coloured, nevertheless distinctly, with yellow, orange, carnation, white and green, which are the five colours of the silk. Likewise one discerns the males from the females; the pretended eyes of the Worms will satisfy to such curiosity: for the colouring of those of the males, is more apparent to black, than that of the females, the which in that part have but very small marks, & fine streaks. As for the colour of their bodies, according to the 
The Worms are of divers colours.  climates one is to be preferred before another. The most part of the seed of Spain brings forth white Worms: and such grain being more worthy than any other in these climates, we prize also the whitest more than the black, or grey, or any other.  

To withdraw the silk from the twigs and when.  After, with the same diligence whereby we have managed our silk; finally we must reap, seeing that this last action cannot suffer delay without notable loss, no more than any other harvest of the year. The refuse silk is the first matter which the Worm's vomit, of which they make the foundation of their building. They fasten it firmly with much art between the rods, which laden with these rich cods resemble exquisite trees, garnished with Apricockes, summer Pairs, and other precious fruits. There one takes the bottoms in perfect ripeness, which is marked by the directions already given. To tarry longer than seven or eight days, to pull them from the twigs, would be to put them to hazard, to convert the silk into sleeve, for the leisure that one should give the Butterfly to pierce his cod, to the end to go about his seed. Wherefore the most assured shall be, to begin within the sixth day after the climbing up of the Worms. One shall take them off gently, without crushing the creature which is within, by that preventing the spots of the bottoms, which happen by their broken bodies, converting them into so gluey a humour, that afterwards it is impossible to divide and wind off all the silk.  

The grain for seed.  Providing for the time to come, one shall advise to furnish himself with seed for the conservation of the brood. I have shown the scope of this Worm to be, after having woven the silk, to go to lay her eggs, to perpetualize herself amongst us. For which it behoveth, to limit & bond his natural affection, for fear that leaving it to do at pleasure, instead of silk, which we have of this business, we should have nothing but sleeve. Because that the Worm being converted into a Butterfly to lay the eggs, as I have said, comes forth of the bottom, 
and  which for such cause he pierseth. Being thus bored the threads of the silk are found broken, by consequent indevidable, and not to be wonde off, whereby one is constrained to card such matter as wool, afterwards for to spin it: which by this means losing his gloss wherein consisteth the chiefest beauty of the silk, wanting the same is turned into sleeve. For to prevent the which loss, and also not to have need of so much seed, as the nature of the 
The signs of the worth of the bottoms.  Worms would furnish us withal; of one part of the cods or bottoms, we will serve our turns for grain or seed, leaving the other for the winding of the silk, as hereafter shall be shown: As for to have fair corn one chooseth the best ears to sow; so we will choose for seed, the best qualified cods, without fearing so much the present loss of piercing the bottoms, as to desire the ensuing profit. For such cause let us select, of the clues or bottoms, the chiefest, the greatest, the hardest, the weightiest, the sharpest pointed: of carnation or flesh colour, tokens of value. In such quantity as one shall desire, according to this reckoning, that an ounce of seed commonly issues from a hundred females, seldom more, by the accouplling of the like number of males. By curious finding out some hold that every female lays a hundred eggs or grains; and therefore an ounce of seed to contain ten thousand grains: but for the inequality of the seeds and weights, that cannot every where agree, nor in every sort of grain. Some for sparing, put two females to one male, believing that it sufficeth: but because of the incertainty of the success, and the great carefulness requisite in this place, for to couple them together, from time to time, the best shall be to rest upon that which experience hath authorized for good, that is, in putting to so many males, as females. 
Of their sex.  The cods enclosing the male Butterflies, are slender, and long; those whereout the females come, are thick and great in the midst: and both of them more sharp in one place then in the other, agreeing to the figure of an egg. The mossy ones at both ends, having not any point, or very little, are not to be desired; but rather the race to perish, for the difficulty that one finds to wind off the silk, it being not possible, how one should handle them, to wind all the silk out of the cawthern, by reason of certain snarlings which happens in the bottoms which are of this shape, (not in others) hindering them to divide, a thing very considerable, both for the quantity of the silk, and quality: for neither so much silk, nor so fair will it yield, being mingled with such bottoms as if it came only of the pointed ones.  

The mean to gather the seed.  The cods so chosen, shall be thredded, not in piercing them a cross, for fear to let them take wind, and consequently to make them unprofitable, but only in passing the needle, through the first down, called sleeve; of which shall be made little chains, each composed of so many males as females: One shall hang them on wooden pings, in a chamber, more cool than hot, nevertheless dry, for the Butterflies at their ease to come forth of their cods, to engender together males and females, and there in dying for company, to lay their eggs; so ending their lives. It is necessary to help a little to the furtherance of these Worms, being then upon the period of their age, to the end to manage the seed well, otherwise much of it would be lost. By quantity that one shall see the Butterflies come forth of the bottoms, one shall accouple them, male and female, if already they be not of themselves, to which they show themselves very diligent; and being joined together, they shall for the last time, be set to rest on Wal-nut leaves, ready spread upon a table under the cods, there for to end their work, the female laying her eggs or grain, on the leaves of Wal-nuts: from whence afterwards, although they be firmly annexed unto them, yet are they easily taken off; for that the leaves being well dried, are easily between the hands rubbed to powder, and that blown away with the wind, the seed remains clean as one desires. Some with great reason, spread not Wal-nut leaves upon a table; but make little bundles, which they hang adjoining to the chains of cods; seeing that the females lay their seed more easy being hanged over the males, then lain flat upon a table. For to make the Butterflies empty their grain upon paper according to the usage of some, is not the profit of the work, because one cannot take off the grain but in scraping it with a knife, whereby much of it is broken. But yet also those go more ill to work, which put their Butterflies upon linen; for so much, that the seed fastening itself to it very firmly, cannot be taken away, but with loss; which for to shun, one is constrained to keep such linen, till the spring time, & then in warming it to make the grain to hatch, and from that same to take the Worms. By such order one cannot use the proof, of wine, nor poise the eggs to know what quantity of Worms you will charge yourself with; by which, confusion may happen in the feeding them. Neither the leaves of Wal-nut, nor paper, nor linen, are not so proper to receive the grain coming from the creature, as chamblet, or burato, for that, that upon stuffs, (the grain is assuredly fastened) so is it in like sort taken away without any violence or loss: for it is only done in rubbing gently the chamblet, or burato, between the hands, by which means it is easily taken off.  

Sleeve.  The bottoms which shall have served for seed, cannot afterwards be used, but in sleeve; not because of the substance which always remains one; but for the breaking of the thread which hath been cut by the Worm, in making there a hole, to have passage out of the prison, as hath been said. Of which the Spaniards taking heed sparing the best qualified cods, for to be wounded off, employ for seed the double, and triple ones, without great loss of silk, if otherwise they be of good mark. So can they not very well wind them off, because of the multiplicity of creatures; the which spinning their silk in common, make the work very confused; whereby they are put in the rank of the pierced ones for sleeve. 
The double and triple ones.  The being double or triple is not the fault of the Worm, but rather of lustiness, and suppleness. Sometimes also it happens by default of the place, which being too much thronged, constrains these creatures, in vomiting their silk to heap it one upon an other, confusedly assembling two or three Worms, and more, in one bottom without distinction of male or female; though that ignorantly some say, that a double cod cannot contain two creatures of a divers sex. The negligence of the governor causeth oftentimes such disorder, when taking not near heed at the beginning of the climbing of the Worms, he leaves them to wander where they will: to which he shall look to, in guiding them conveniently; 
The short and idle Worms.  and likewise shall relieve them which fall to the ground: he shall put the short and idle ones into little cornets or coffins of paper, thereby to facilitate their work, guiding them to perfect their bottom: without which diligent curiosity, many Worms are lost, be it in smothering, or in vomiting their silk to ill purpose, amongst their litter. Of every double, or triple bottom, comes forth but one Butterfly, though it have many within, insomuch that being not able to be all ripe at once, the first, which comes forth in piercing the cod by his issue, gives vent to the other Butterflies; by which catching cold, they remain imperfect and die, or when that by their meeting together, their common ripeness and issue happens in the same point and moment, the which is not seen but very rarely.  

The winding of the silk would not be delayed.  For the abundance and goodness of the silk, it is to be desired, that the bottoms be cast into the basin, for to wind them immediately having pulled them from the rods, without any stay, seeing that so freshly taken, all the silk comes off easily, & without violence or any loss; the which one cannot hope for of the bottoms kept some time, because that the gum wherewith the Worm fastens her threads one against another, being dried doth so harden the bottom, that one cannot wind it but with great difficulty and loss, whereby some portion of the silk rests in the basin, and never remains so fair 
And wherefore.  as that which is newly and easily wound up. Besides by such festination, is spared the fear that the Butterflies should spoil the work, there being not given them the leisure to boar the cods for to come forth. But because that within seven or eight days, one can very hardly wind off all the silk of a reasonable feeding, for the great number of work men that for that one should employ, one shall keep both the one and the other of these two ways, that is, in setting themselves a work to wind off the bottoms, so soon as ever one shall perceive to be a number of perfect ones, casting them directly from the twigs into the basin, having first peeled and bared them of their sleeve, without other delay. And to kill the Butterflies of the rest which one is constrained to keep, to the intent that the creatures being dead within, the cods remain exempt from fear to be bored, and by consequent reserved for good silk, may attend the leisure of the window. That 
The means to kill the Butterflies in the cods.  is done in exposing and laying the cods in the sun, the heat of which stifles the creature in his proper work: but you must use a mean, for fear of burning the silk. Three or four times in sundry days the cods shall be set in the sun, & at each time they shall remain two hours before noon, and as much after, to the end that the great heat of that part of the day may readily stifle the Worms, before they be metaphorised or changed into Butterflies: which will come to pass in spreading the bottoms upon sheets, and oftentimes removing them to make them all feel it, without excepting any from the heat of the sun: nevertheless to take heed to the charge, that by too rude handling one bruises not the Worms within the cods, for fear of staining the silk with the matter of their bodies; the which (as hath been said) doth so glue together the silk, that it is impossible afterwards to wind it off. Therefore very softly oftentimes a day one shall remove them from one side to another, afterwards they shall be heaped warmly together, and wrapped up in the sheets, and so carried into a fresh chamber, not into a dank cellar, as to ill purpose some do. The sun failing (as often times it comes to pass, that the sky is clouded) you shall use an oven moderately heated, as it shall be two hours after the drawing of bread; within the which by sackfuls, one shall put the cods, which shall be laid upon boards, for fear that the stones of the ovens bottom should burn them. There they shall remain an hour, or an hour and a half, in reiterating the manner, till that you shall know the creatures to be certainly dead, the which you shall be resolved without great loss, in rending one of the most suspectedst bottoms, for to see the inner part. In the mean time you shall take heed, not to burn your silk by too vehement heat, foreseeing which, the most sure way shall be to heat the oven a little at once, and to return so much the oftener, than too much, and so hasting lose all the work. This smothering of the Worms, or Butterflies already form, is of great import, for going to it either ignorantly, or retchlessely, not taking heed whether that the Butterflies should come forth of the cods, according to their nature, or not being able at all to take the air, should remain in the way, after to be forced to pass further, nibbling the inner part of the cods: of the which little silk can come afterwards, and that yet not very well qualified. Ill comparable to that of the Rats in this point differing, that the Rats gnaw the exterior of the cod, for to eat up the creature which is there enclosed; and the Butterflies the interior to free themselves. The bottoms so prepared shall attend the leisure of the window. But this shall be no longer than that without delay you may conserve the silk in his natural beauty, without loss of weight: in the one and in the other, being so much the more defrauded of it, as more longer the cods shall be kept. For that every day the hardness of the bottoms augmenting. In like manner is augmented the difficulty of winding it off; whereby the silk breaks with diminishing the quantity: and by long keeping, the quality is impaired. To these losses, diligence remedies, so that there be not given too much time to the bottoms to over-harden, the silk will be wounded off well enough: the winding whereof shall be continued, without diverting to other uses, until the last bottom. So shall you entirely gather from this food both silks and sleaves, without any loss.  

To sort curiously the cod, for to wind off the silk.  This done, the bottoms shall be sorted, setting apart the pierced and spotted ones, on one side, for to make fair sleeve, as being of the most fine substance: and of the other side, the entire, simple, and clean ones to wind off the most fair and pure silk; of all the which, for a foregoing, one shall draw off all the down in pulling off the outside of the bottoms, of which one shall make course sleeve, for that this is the refuse and scum, which the creature vomits at the beginning of his work.  

Of tools and engines for winding off, and other observations.  Of the fashion of the furnaces, basins, wheels or Rices, named at Paris devidors; & at Tours, windersup: but how one ought to turn them, if it shall be by the hand, by the foot, or by the water, for the winding off, there is no need to speak of in this place: the workmen almost never agreeing together, every one having his particular practice. Only I will say, that the basins of lead makes the silk more pure, than those of copper; because of the rust that this metal is subject unto, though water remains in it but a little while, from which the lead is utterly exempt. That the wheels ought to be great for the forwarding of the work, the which shall be made to wind off two skeanes at once. That the fire of the furnace be of charcoals, or at the least of very dry wood; to the end that the fire be without smoke, as well for the commodity of the window, as for the beauty of the silk, the which through his delicateness is easily blacked in the smoke. So is it in the liberty of the workman, to wind diversly the silk according to the works wherein one will use it. But in so much that the master of the work principally desires it, for to sell and convert it into money, the best shall be to do it the fairest that one can, having regard to the faculty of the matter, and the desire of the buyers.  

The task of the window.  Of the bottoms come of Worms of a good race, and fed with the leaves of white Mulberries, it shall suffice that the workman winds off a pound and a half by day Paris weight, little less, for by such limit it will be small enough to be appropriated to all uses, and for that more vendable, than being grosser. This same shall be wonde of the single and best bottoms, according to the sorting aforesaid, reserving the double and spotted ones (if one will not mingle them with the pierced ones, for sleeve,) to make certain separated skeanes, that the Merchants take at the same price as they do the fine silk, such course stuff 
To distinguish the silks.  being profitable to them in some works. But this would be to intermingle all the silk, and by consequent to debase the price, if without distinction one should wind off all the bottoms together. The which the Merchants fearing, at the sight of the gross skeanes, buy willingly all the silk, by that assuring themselves not to be any intermixed confusion, nor fraudulent mingling, in the winding up. The double and soiled ones, are very hard to wind up, and yet howsoever one takes them, they yield but course silk: the tufted ones being also in the same predicament, as hath been said, which by reason of that you may mingle together. The difficulty of their winding up shall be assuaged by soap, put in the basin of water with the bottoms; soap also helps to wind off the old cods, hardened by time, in mollifying the natural gum, which holds glued together the threads of silk, the which by this remedy are easy enough to manage. The workman shall make two skeanes of silk by day, or four, if to that his wheel and his other skill be appropriated; for that the silk shows fairer in little skeans, or scarves, than in great ones; as that by bestowing more fastenings than they do break of the silk, but in one only skein: by this means they sell it for as much as the other; seeing that it is the commodity of the Merchants, which put it in work, being more proper to be given to be wonde in a little, than in a great volume.  
The remainder of the winding which cannot be wounded with the skeanes, as the break off of the silk, and that which will not be got off, resting in the basin, shall be husbanded for to be wrought in tapestries, for Carpets, Chairs, Beds, and such like movables of the house; intermingling these matters with wool, hemp, flax, cotton etc. As also of good sleaves, with fine silk, shall be made stuffs, fair and profitable to serve for the use of the house.  
This is the manner to gather the silk, unknown of our Ancestors, through want of inquiring it out: having of long time believed, as from the father to the son, that this creature could not live elsewhere, but in the countries of his original. But time, the master of Arts, hath shown how much the reasonable seeking of honest things is worth: from such curiosity, being grown the true science to govern this cattle, which at this day are managed with as little hazard, as the grounds are sowed, and Vines planted, for to have corn and wine. So often times it comes to pass, to find that which one seeks; God blessing the labour and travail of those which employ their wits, not only for themselves, but also for the public benefit.  
Such is the beginning of the Silkworm, such his government, such the effect and issue of his feeding, a creature most admirable for many causes, whereby not a little is given to the conservation of his race; when with no expense and small care it is kept during the year, as a dead thing, in his season for to take again a new life.   

THE PREPARATION OF THE BARK OF THE White Mulberry, for to make linen clothe on, and other works.  
THe revenue of the white Mulberry, consists not only in the leaf for to have silk, but also in the bark, for to make ropes, course clothes, mean, fine, and thin, as they will, preparing the bark so, as shall be shown hereafter; by which commodities the white Mulberry manifests itself, to be the richest plant, and of most exquisite use, whereof we yet have had knowledge. Of the leaf of the white Mulberry, of his profit, of his handling, & the manner of gathering the silk, hath been heretofore discoursed at large. Hear shall be presented the bark of the branches of such a tree, whereby I will represent you the faculty, since it hath pleased the King to command me to give to the public, the invention to convert it into cords and linen, according to the proofs which I have shown his Majesty. And although we be not constrained to beg clothes of our neighbours, (as till now we have done silk) in having enough for our provision, yet for that the master shall not leave to employ this benefit, which God so liberally offers him, the same being in the Provinces of this kingdom, where Flax & Hemp are so rare, as of such there is more than of the other, it will be found so much the more commodious, as the constraint will be less to disbursed money, for the buying of so necessary furnishments.  
Many exquisite and rare knowledges are come to light by accident. The Lute an excellent instrument of Music, is come of the curiosity of a Physician, which making the Anatomy of a Tortoise, for to see the interior, and placing of his parts, handling of it dried, touched unawares some sinews stretched within it, the which making an agreeable sound, by means of the hollowness of the shell, resolved by that occasion to make a new instrument, since called in Latin Testudo, of the name of the creature. The almost miraculous science to graft fruit trees, is proceeded of a shepherd, when setting up his bower, he thrust without thinking of it, a little live branch of a tree within the body of another freshly cut near the ground, where it taking showed the admirable marriage of these two divers plants afterwards so sought for, and refined by new additions. So it happened to me touching the knowledge of the faculty of the bark of the white Mulberry. For by the easy separation from his wood, being in sap, in having caused to be made cords▪ (after the imitation of those of the rind of Tillet, which they make in France, even at the Lowre in Paris) and put to dry at the top of my house, were by the winds thrown into the ditch, afterwards were taken forth of the muddy water, having remained there four days, and washed in fair water, and then untwisted, and dried, I saw appear the down or thrum, the matter of linen, like to silk or fine flax. I made these barks to be beaten with mallets, to separate the sheds, which going to dust, left the gentle and soft substance remaining: the which bark, hetcheld and combde after the manner of hemp and flax, was made proper to spin; and in ensuing, hath been woven and reduced into cloth. More than thirty years afore I employed the bark of the tender shoots of whit Mulberries, to bind graffs in the skutchion, in steed of hemp, which they commonly use in such delectable business.  
Behold the first proof of the value of the bark of the white Mulberry: the which accident, brought into art, is not to be doubted, but to draw good service from such invention, the white Mulberry being replete with so many commodities, to the great profit of his possessor. The bark of Tillet besides that it serves to make ropes, as hath been said, is somewhat tractable to be made in clothes: but that is in very gross work, as for to serve in windmill sails, and such like things. The nettle yields an exquisite matter, whereof is made fine & delicate clothes: but there is so little of it that they cannot make other reckoning of it then for curiosity. There are also certain other herbs and shrubs yielding thrum or down, but some so weak, others in so small a quantity, some so gross, and with so great difficulty to be drawn off, that it is not possible to use them to any profit, or to very little. It is not so of the white Mulberry, whereby the abundance of branching, the facility of disbarking, the goodness of thrum or Downe proceeding from that, makes this business most assured: yea verily with very small expense the master shall draw infinite commodities from this rich tree. The worth whereof unknown to our ancestors hath remained interred & buried until now, as by the eyes of understanding it shall be known, yet better by experiences. But to the end that they may make this business durable, that is to say, to draw off the bark of the Mulberry, without offending it, this here shall be noted; that for the good of the silk, it is necessary to prune, to cut, and dishead the Mulberries, immediately after having gathered the leaves for the food of the Worms; nevertheless according to requisite distinction, as I have demonstrated; whence the branches coming of such cuttings, shall serve for our intention: for that, that being then in sap (as in other time you must never put the bill to the trees) they will very easily disbark: and this shall be to make profit of a lost thing, for else they should be cast into the fire. Likewise the same cuttings cannot but serve well; if they love them no better, for the first, to use them in fensings of gardens, Vines etc. where such branches are very proper, for their hard snagges, being dry and of long service, through which durableness they rot not in a great time; from whence finally taken, for their last profit shall be burnt in the kitchen.  
And because that the divers qualities of the branches diversify the value of their barks, whence the most fine proceeds from the tender tops of the trees, the gross ones from the great branches already hardened, the mean ones from those which are between both. Then when they shall cut the trees, be it in pruning them, disbranching or disheading them, the branches shall be sorted, setting apart in bundles every sort, to the end that without confused mingling all the barks may be drawn off, and handled according to their particular properties. Without delay the said rinds shall be separated from the branches using the favour of the sap, which passeth quickly, without which they cannot work in this business. And having bundled up the barks, of all the three sorts a sunder, they shall be laid in clean or foul water, as shall be fit three or four days more or less according to their qualities and places where they are, the trials whereof shall limit the term, but in what part soever they be, the tender and small would be less steeped, than the big and great ones; being taken forth of the water, at the approach of evening they shall be spread upon the grass in a meadow, if conveniently you may, or elsewhere, exposed to the the air, having untied their farthels, for to remain there all the night, to the end to drink up the dews of the morning; then before the Sun lights upon them, they shall be heapte together, till the return of the evening; then put again in the dew, and taken from thence at Sun rising, as afore, continuing that ten or twelve days, after the manner of flax, (and in sum) until then, that you shall know all the stuff to be sufficiently watered, by the proof that you shall make in drying, and beating a handful of each of the three sorts of the barks, laying those again in the dew which shall not be ready enough, and withdrawing the rest, as you shall find by the eye.  
It hath been recited here before, that for to have profit of feeding the Silkwormes, with less than two or three thousand trees, the Mulberrie-yarde ought not to be enterprised; and that well for to govern them, to the purpose to have long service of them, it is requisite, that there be lopped every year, the tenth or twelfth part, so by that there may be disheaded, every year, from two hundred and fifty, to three hundred Mulberries, which will always yield between three or four hundred burdens of wood & more. To which quantity, adding that which they take off from the trees immediately after their disleaving in pruning & topping them, there will be abundance of branches, and by consequent abundance of bark every year, from which will arise much work of divers sorts, according to requisite sorting.  
But yet the master of our work shall not rest here but shall plant woods of white Mulberries, to cut low the moiety of them every year; for such purpose dividing them into two parts, from whence he shall have branches delicate and young, the bark whereof will be proper to make fine and exquisite linen. And the said woods will not be only profitable to furnish every year, abundance of new bark, but also faggoting to burn; and poles for arbours in gardens, and to make hoops for tub and barrels, choosing for this the greatest branches. Also to give the leaves for to feed Silkwormes, gathering them in the best aired and sunniest parts of the trees. And for the augmenting of good husbandry, 
The 12. chapter in the book of Husbandry.  to feed an infinite number of coneyes, provided that the woods be enclosed for a warren after the manner before described. So there will be four notable commodities, which the master shall reap from these woods: which for the spoil that the coneyes may do in disbarking the feet of the trees in winter, as they do all sorts of plants, a few excepted, he shall not leave himself unfurnished of so profitable a beast. Wherefore somewhat to amend such a fault, helping the coneyes to meat, it behoveth not but to sow oats in certain places and great allies, which for such purpose shall be left empty in the woods, where the coneyes may feed during the colds, by so much sparing the Mulberries: for the succouring of which, beside, you shall cause to be thrown to the coneyes, the outcasts of your garden, hay, cuttings of Vines, and other druggeries in winter, then when the snows constrains these cattle to go to the trees, for want of other food. Yet for the fifth commodity, I will add here, that the leaves of Mulberries, in what place soever they be planted, falling of themselves to the ground in the end of summer, put together in some separated fit, taken from thence day by day, and given boiled to swine, keeps them in good state, beginning to put them into flesh: the which comes to them, when in ensuing, there falls a good mast, whereby they grow to the superlative degree of fatness.  
I would couch here for the sixth commodity the Mulberries fruit of these trees, so much loved of poultry, for their exceeding sweetness, if the gathering of the Mulberry leaf for the Worms, were not the means for us to make profit: the which pulled from the trees with the leaves, yet green, long before their maturity, remain nothing worth, whereby no certain account can be made.  
All the which things, brings to light the worth of the Mulberry, a tree filled with the blessing of God, which in this only plant gives to all sorts of men, and estates, these excellent matters, for to furnish and apparel them, according to their affections. The soil proper for the Mulberry to bear agreeable food for the Worms, is that same which the Vine desireth. Wine is healthful for the Worms, fortifying, preserving and curing their diseases. And as the Vine begins to bring forth good wine, in his fifth or sixth year, so in like age the Mulberry gins to bear leaves, very good to nourish the creature, an observation heretofore already marked. Having made these two excellent plants here to march in company, it shall not be to ill purpose in continuing to represent their sympathies, to say, that the spirit of wine, by distillation, is converted into water of life: So the quint-essence of the Mulberry yielded in the leaf, is from thence extracted by the Worm, which turns it into silk, the earthly matter remaining in the wood, of the which, yet the most digested part, yields in the bark, from whence it is taken, as hath been seen. But to enter further into the consideration of such secrets of nature, that would be to surpass the limits of my deliberation, which is not to treat in this place but of the bark of the white Mulberry, for to gather the riches which therein is hidden. So my discourses not diving to the Centre, shall rest themselves at the Superficial.  
By this figure is showed the order, to rank the tables on the skaffolds, for to lay the leaves on, to feed the Worms there.  
By this figure is showed the manner to place the rods between the tables, for the Worms to climb up and spin their silk.  
TO wind off the Silk from the cod you shall proceed in this fashion, that is, to set a cawthern in a furnace filled with fair water, the neatest & clearest is best, which shall be heated till such a degree, that the water becomes bubbled, as though there were small pearls in the middle, casting up a little white scum, which it will do when it is ready to seethe; & than you shall cast in your cod or bottoms, which you shall remove and stir up and down with a little broom, or small bushes; & if they will not wind easily, you shall augment your fire, and being begun to wind, if you see that they wind easily, you shall slacken it.  
The bottoms winding, the threads will catch hold at the said broom, or bushes, which you shall draw out with your fingers the length of half a yard and more, till that all the grossness of the cod be word off, which you shall cut off & lay aside, holding always with one hand all the threads of your bottoms joined, & united to one thread, & then according to the silk that you desire to make, you shall take of the threads of the bottoms; that is, if you will make Organcin, you shall take the threads of six bottoms, or if you will make Verone, you shall take twelve or fifteen cod, & having joined & united them in one thread, you shall put it first of all through a wire ring, appointed for to rank the threads, which must be fastened against the forepart of a piece of wood, set directly upon the form, before the round or circle which we call a bobbin, for that in the top of that piece of wood in a little space that there is, are fastened two bobbins distant one from another two fingers; from the said ring you shall draw your thread, and shall cross it upon the said bobbins, which are fastened there, to no other end, but to twist the silk, and from the bobbins you shall put through the said thread above in a ring, which is fastened in the midst of a staff, which goes to & fro as the Turn goes, called a lincet, set a cross beneath the wheel, and from that ring you shall draw and fasten the said thread upon the wheel, which you shall always turn till your skein of silk be wounded up. It is represented in this next figure.  
You must note also that according to the number of threads of bottoms, which you have taken to compose your thread, you shall continue the said quantity of cod for your thread, and shall always furnish the like number, when any one shall be quite wonde off, or their thread broken, which you shall perceive by the moving of the bottoms, when the full number stirs not, and you shall continue that until your skein be made.  
You shall also be curious to cut the knots which will be at your bottoms, or thread, to make your silk more pure and strong.  
In the winding of the silk, some put Gum Arabic in the water, where they cast the cod to wind off the silk, (which they say) they do to the end to make it more pure and glossie; but it is for mere deceit, of purpose to make it weigh.  
By this figure is showed the fashion of the Engine, how to wind off the silk from the cod, with the furnaces and cawtherns for that purpose.  
By this figure is showed the portraits of the cod, and the Butterflies comen forth of them, to engender and lay their eggs upon black Serge, Chamblet, Tammey or such like stuffs as hath been said.