50 
called satiny cocoons. This satinage appears to be due to the fact that 
the successive layers of the cocoon are insufficiently gammed together. 
As a result the water penetrates quickly into its center while itis being 
reeled and causes it to sink to the bottom of the basin, which interferes 
with the process of unwinding. Towards the end a satiny cocoon comes 
off in flocks, making a dirty silk. 
A comparison of the cocoons shown in the cuts on page 14 may convey 
an idea of the difference of texture mentioned, Fig. 2 being fine, and 
Fig. 3 of coarse grain. In addition to the above features some regard 
must be paid to the reeling of cocoons of the same size together. An 
extended experience is needed to make a rapid cocoon-sorter, and it is 
work that should be followed without intermission, that the knack neces- 
sary to quickness may not be lost. 
The process of reeling cocoons, while extremely simple, is still one 
that requires an amount of skill to acquire which the experience of sev- 
eral months is necessary. The cocoons are first plunged into boiling 
water, whereby their gluten is softened in such a manner as to render 
the unwinding of the filaments an easy matter. This done, they are 
brushed with a small broom, to the straws of which their fibers become 
attached. The bundle of filaments is then taken and they are unwound. 
until each cocoon shows but one clean thread. These three operations 
are called “cooking,” ‘ brushing,” and “cleansing.” All of these oper- 
ations can be accomplished mechanically. 
The elements of the mechanism of all modern silk-reels are essentially 
the same. They are shown in Fig. 29, and consist, in general, of a basin, 
Dpnrene ee ae 
a / Kee 
| a Kap: 
A 
os 
Fic. 29.—Elements of the mechanism of a modern silk reel (original). 
A, in which is a perforated steam-pipe, P, by means of which the water 
in the basin may be heated. A few inches above the surface of the 
water is placed a perforated agate, B. The cocoons having undergone 
the three operations mentioned, the ends of the filanfents of four or more 
