SILK. 177 



the silk. The silk is now put into the suds, there to 

 remain until the gum is discharged, which may be 

 known by its flexibility and softness to the touch. 

 The silk also becomes very white. When this 

 is the case, the skeins should be wrung, and washed 

 clean. 



There is a second process, called "bagging;" 

 but I have never found it necessary, and I believe it 

 has seldom or never been used in this country. 



When it is intended that silk shall be dyed, it 

 should be alumned. Dissolve fifty pounds of alum in 

 hot water, and pour it into a vessel containing fifty 

 gallons or more of cold water, and stir it well, other- 

 wise chrystalization will take place. The washed 

 silk is immersed in this solution during eight or ten 

 hours. Then take it out, wash and wring it, and af- 

 ter rinsing it, beetle it if necessary. Great care 

 should be taken not to put the silk in while the wa- 

 ter is hot, as the least warmth will injure the lustre 

 of the silk. The alum should be good. Some 

 alum is combined with iron, and this should always be 

 avoided, as it is good for nothing, and if used would 

 ruin the whole lot of silk. 



When it is desired to give silk brilliancy, and ren- 

 der it of a pure azure white, it is subjected to a pro- 

 cess called "sulphuring;" or, in other words, it is fu- 

 migated with brimstone. The silk is hung up on 

 poles in a close room, the poles being suspended 

 above by cojds, about seven feet from the floor. If 



