THE SILK WORM. 163 



be suffered to remain in the basket, but should be im- 

 mediately baked in shallow baskets in an oven, stir- 

 ring them and taking care that they are not scorched. 

 They should then be spread upon tables or shelves in 

 an airy situation, and turned over every day. Every 

 thing depends upon curing the cocoons well ; for if 

 they are suffered to lie in piles they mould, and & mois- 

 ture is thrown out which gives them a bad odor, and 

 they are not worth reeling. A great quantity of co- 

 coons has been ruined by not attending to this neces- 

 sary and indispensable part of the business. When 

 improperly cured, the cocoons reel with great diffi- 

 culty. 



With respect to stifling the worm, various modes 

 are in use. Some recommend their being placed in 

 the sun two or three hot days ; but it appears to me, 

 this is an uncertain method. The next method is the 

 oven, which I have mentioned, and which I think is 

 the best. Mr. Cobb says <C I have used the first 

 method with success. The oven being moderately 

 heated, the cocoons were spread out in oblong bas- 

 kets, eight inches deep, in box covers, pans, &c. and 

 permitted to remain in the oven half an hour. 53 



Some recommend the steam of boiling water, and 

 others the vapor of hot spirits of wine or alcohol. 

 Many other modes are recommended, but I prefer ba- 

 king them in an oven. 



