CHINESE MODE OF BEARING SILKWORMS. 143 



vherein the caterpillars were kept, they were more 

 mmerous and stronger than where the edges of the 

 lurdles were under the shade. 



The worms take seven days to complete the 

 ocoons, at which time they are collected into heaps, 

 md those intended for continuing the breed, are 

 elected and placed on hurdles in a dry and airy 

 ituation. " The next care is to destroy the chry- 

 alides in those balls which are to be reeled. The 

 nost approved method of performing this, is to fill 

 arge earthen vessels with cocoons, in layers, throw- 

 ng in one-fortieth part of their weight of salt upon 

 ach layer, covering the whole with large dry leaves 

 esembling those of the water-lily, and then closely 

 topping the mouths of the vessels. In reeling their 

 ilk, the Chinese separate the thick and dark from 

 tie long and glittering white cocoons, as the produce 



inferior." * 



* Cabinet Library, Silk Manufacture, p. 126. 



