57 



covered to be amiss in those parts of the thread which 

 are near the reel, for one hand will always be employed, 

 and a stop must occasionlly take place. 



As the heat of the water in the basin will require to be 

 varied according to the ease or difficulty with which the 

 different sorts of cocoons give off their silk, the spinner 

 should always have some cold water within reach, in or- 

 der to cool that in the basin quickly, when the silk cornes 

 off too easily and in burrs. The water is also necessary 

 for the woman managing the cocoons, to cool her fingers. 

 More fuel should also be at hand to increase the heat 

 quickly, when the cocoons do not give off their silk readily. 

 If there should happen to be any sand in the water, 

 the heat causes it to rise to the surface and fix on the 

 cocoons, the thread of which will break as if cut; for 

 this reason the utmost care must be taken to guard against 

 it, and to remove it. Previously to being boiled, the 

 water should be permitted to settle, and the pan must be 

 carefully wiped. If necessary, the basin may be cover- 

 ed while the water is heating. 



When the cocoons are first put in water, if the silk rises 

 thick upon the brush or comes in lumps, it is a sign that 

 the water is too hot; if the thread cannot be caught, the 

 water is too cold ; when the cocoons are in play if they 

 rise often to the guide wires, the water is two hot ; if the 

 cocoons do not follow the threads, it is too cold. It will 

 be seen, by observing the position of the thread upon 

 the reel, that the different layers do not lie parallel to, nor 

 upon, but cross one another. This is owing to the 

 mechanism of the apparatus, and is particularly con- 

 trived to effect this object, which is essential to the 

 perfection of the process, and one to which the acknowl- 



