L 175 3 154 



The coarse fibres, which are first taken oflf from the cocoons, (as 

 directed in the passage on reeling,) and laid aside, are called in France, 

 the fantasie. Two pounds of cocoons commonly yield about four 

 ounces and a half of this material, and sells in France for about a dollar 

 and a quarter for two pounds. It is first boiled to deprive it of gum, 

 then carded and spun. The best of it is used for the filling, after be- 

 ing slightly twisted, and the inferior quality far the chain of stuffs. In 

 Connecticut the coarse threads of the cocoons are made into a ball, 

 then reeled, boiled in soap and water, rinsed, dried, cut into one and a 

 half inch pieces, then carded on cotton cards,, and spun like wool or 

 cotton. 



The thread called in France filoselle, is made in part from pointed 

 cocoons, formed by feeble worms, or in cold seasons; the ends are 

 slightly covered with silk, and, not being entirely close, the water en- 

 ters and precipitates them to the bottom. More or less are met with 

 in every parcel. They are first deprived of their gum, by being im- 

 mersed in plain water, or in soap and water, when the filoselle is wish- 

 ed. to be white, as before directed. When dried, this filoselle is spun 

 upon the distaff in France, and practice enables the women to form an 

 even and fine thread. 



The filoselle thread, made from the tow of the seed cocoons, is es- 

 teemed of the first quality, giving no waste. It is spun upon the dis- 

 taff, in France, but may be spun on the wheel. It is prepared as above 

 directed, and is used to make stockings. The bourre, or waste, is the 

 produce of the remains of the various manipulations which silk under- 

 goes when manufacturing, as reeling, doubling, and milling. It is 

 carded and spun upon the distaff, and sometimes on a wheel. * 



In France, the perforated and inferior cocoons, and the waste, are all 

 mixed, and prepared by an apparatus called a devil, to make sewing 

 silk. No description or draught of this could be obtained. The best 

 threads of cocoons are reserved for silk fabrics. In Connecticut, fami- 

 ly sewing silk is made from the good cocoons, from which the moths 

 have escaped. The shrivelled. case of the pupa, and any egg^ which 

 may have been deposited in the cocoon, are first taken out; they are 

 then boiled in soap and water, rinsed, gently squeezed, dried, and spun 

 on a foot wheeL Knitting thread for stockings and mits, is also made 

 from themo They make the best sewing silk, by doubling the thread, 

 reeled from good cocoons, and twisting it on the common wool-wheel. 

 The skein is first boiled in soap and water, and it lies in a dish contain- 

 ing enough soapsuds to keep it moist, while the process of twisting is 

 going on. 



The following communication on this subject, was made by Daniel 

 Bulkele)', Esq. of Hampton, Connecticut, at the request of the Secre- 

 tary of the Treasury : 



" The raw silk is first spooled on bobbins, the number of which is in 

 proportion to the size of the intended thread from the first spinning; 

 afid, to facilitate the operation, they are put into warm water. The 



♦Beytiaud.p, 251- 265. 



