ing occupants. The eggs when exposed to the air were so small it
seemed incredible that out of them could come the hungry little
caterpillars who would spin that delicate silken filament.

"They are about the size of mustard seed, aren't they, Mother?" remarked
Marie.

"Just about, and they also are not unlike mustard in color," replied her
mother, "although they will not remain so--at least we hope not."

"Why?"

"Because after three or four days they should turn to a light slate
color if they are the sort of eggs we want. Those that remain yellow are
the unfertilized ones and will be of no use to us; we must discard
them."

"And do the eggs always remain slate color until hatched?" questioned
Pierre.

"No, they next turn to a dull, brownish slate tint and then the
caterpillar comes out. The changes may take place more rapidly than this
and the entire process require but a day or two. It all depends on the
temperature and the light. Josef knows by long experience just what to
do to hurry things along."

As Marie and Pierre glanced at the immaculate white shelves that
awaited the newcomers, and realized that for the first time the actual
care of the work they had so many times idly watched was upon their
young shoulders, it seemed like a dream.

"Now there are many pitfalls which we must be careful to avoid,"
announced Josef. "In the first place we must beware of rats, mice,
spiders, ants--even chickens. All of these creatures can work havoc
among the caterpillars. Probably you will not need to worry about them
very much; certainly not the rats, mice or chickens. Hens and chickens
cannot get in here if you are watchful and close the doors. As for the
rats and mice, your father has pretty thoroughly exterminated them.
Spiders and ants will find little encouragement in a clean place like
this, but we must be on the lookout for them, because one never knows
when they will creep into a building. The greatest danger, aside from
some epidemic spreading and destroying your crop, lies in feeding your
silkworms wrongly. Remember, they must have no wet leaves if we want
them to live. You know that already, I guess, or you ought to, for you
certainly have gathered enough food for them. Moist leaves will make
silkworms ill sooner than almost anything else. So never get leaves that
are wet with dew or those that have been rained on. When it looks as if
a storm was coming pick a sufficient number of leaves in advance and
k