[ 175 J Ija 



what larger lliaa the first. Thc5e Ijobbins are tlicn to be exposed l» 

 the steam oi" water, to which have heen added two ounces of white, or 

 still better, Castile soap two ounces, eighteen ounces of olive oil, and 

 four or five pounds of wood ashes. The bobbins are to be put in a 

 kettle, the bottom of which is pierced, and placed over the vessel of 

 water, when it boils, with a cloth over it, and permitted to remain un- 

 til the silk begins to swell and to detach from the bobbins. They are 

 then to be taken away, and the second throw or twist given to the 

 threads, from left to right. The combination of these two throws is 

 called the pearl, as the organzine looks like a string of small pearls or 

 beads. It is easy to know if the second throw be perfect, by untwist- 

 ing part of the organzine, and when it is open, on slackening the hand a 

 little, each thread twists round itself in obedience to the first throw or 

 twist. The water may be filled up as it wastes, but the ashes, soap, 

 and oil, are to be renewed every day. 



The warping machine is described in Rees' Cyclopaedia, article Silk. 

 Tha figure is in the 4th volume of plates of that work. 



The operation of organzining is described at large, in the explanation 

 of the plate of the throwing machine. 



It is probable that Fanshaw's new invention, a sketch of which the 

 writer has fortunately obtained from a very recent publication, will 

 supersede much of the old complicated and expensive silk machinery.* 



PreiJciration of the icaste silk. 



All the cocoons which have been pierced by the moths, those formed 

 v/it]i holes at one or both ends, the light cocoons deemed imjjroper for 

 winding, after the insects have been cut out, or threshed out, and the 

 pellicles remaining after winding off the silk, are to be collected; and if 

 it be wished to retain the yellow color, they are put in a copper kettle 

 with ^vater, and tramped with the feet, turning the cocoons, and adding 

 a little fresh water from time to time, until it be found that the silk se- 

 parates ])roperly, upon tedding it out with the fingers. They are then 

 tied up in a clean cloth, which is dipped in a clear stream, or water is 

 ])oured on them, until it runs off without color, and spread out to 

 dry in the svm. Waste silk, intended to remain white, is to be treated 

 in the following manner: 



Put the cocoons in a kettle of cold water, and let them lie twenty- 

 four hours: then boil them in a copper kettle, adding a quarter of a 

 pound of soapt for ever}^ pound of cocoons: when the soap is dissolved, 

 tie up the cocoons in a clean cloth, put it in a kettle, and boil 

 until the cocoons have become while. The water should entirely 

 cover the cloth; then take out the cloth, and dip it in a clear stream, or 

 pour water on it till it comes off clear; then spread out the cocoons in 

 the sun to dry. Mr. Stephenson, from whose paper these directions 

 are taken, says the merchants prefer the silk cleaned by means of cold 



* Se^ the explanation of the plates. 



j- The quality of the soap is of great consequence: brown soap must not be used. 



