CHOICE OF THE COCOONS. 



THSI-MIN-YAO-CHOU. 



When a selection of cocoons is to be made, in order to 

 obtain the eggs, those which are found in the middle of the 

 cocoon room must absolutely be chosen. Those which are 

 near the top produce very little silk, (or a very thin silk ;) 

 those near the bottom produce eggs which will not hatch. 



NONG-CHOU. 



As soon as the frames have been taken from the cocoon 

 rooms, the floss of the cocoons ought to be removed imme- 

 diately, so that they may not ferment and spoil. If one has 

 a large quantity of cocoons, they must be preserved under 

 beds of salt ; then the butterflies do not go out, and the silk 

 will be supple, strong and glossy. 



The following is the manner of preserving the cocoons : 

 At first the cocoons must be exposed to the sun, until 

 they are perfectly dry. A large earthen jar must be placed 

 in a hole dug in the earth ; at the bottom of the jar a mat 

 of bamboo must be spread, afterwards it must be covered 

 with large leaves, of the thong tree, (bignonia tomcntosa.) 

 Then a layer must be made of about ten pounds of cocoons, 

 upon which two ounces of salt must be spread ; they must 

 be newly covered with leaves of the same tree. Thus, lay- 

 ers of cocoons must be placed one over another, until the 



