SILK WORMS. 153 



must it be too weak, otherwise, the butterflies will pierce 

 the COCOODS. 



If the back of the hand cannot endure the heat, the tem- 

 perature of the water is at the proper degree of heat for the 

 end proposed. Then the baskets are to be carried to the 

 silk room, and the cocoons spread on a frame ; they must 

 be lightly stirred with the hand. If the cocoons fill the 

 frame, and commence to form a heap, they must be sepa- 

 rated, and a portion spread (that is to say : one half,) upon 

 another frame. 



Wait until the cocoons are entirely cooled ; afterwards 

 they must be covered with small willow branches. 



All the cocoons must be steamed the same day ; for if all 

 the moths be not killed, those of the remaining cocoons will 

 come out the next day. 



NONG-SANG-THONG-KIOUE. 



When one has a large quantity of cocoons, and they can- 

 not be reeled at once, they must be preserved under layers 

 of salt, and then the butterflies cannot go out. That me- 

 thod is generally followed in the South, but a great number 

 of earthen jars are required. 



I have read the work entitled, Nong-sang-tchi-kioue, 

 which is used in the North, and the following is what I have 

 found on this subject : 



When the cocoons are gathered, the best way is to reel 

 them immediately ; but if it cannot be done in consequence 

 of not having a sufficient number of laborers, the chrysali- 

 des must be killed, and the cocoons reeled at leisure. 



There are three ways of killing the chrysalis : 



1 st. By exposing the cocoons to the heat of the sun : 

 20 



