382 GRM'E CULTURE AND WINE-MAKING. 



then spread over tlie crates in a temperate room, and tlie breaking 

 through of the butterflies waited for. The sexes can not be dis- 

 tinguished with certainty. It may therefore be well to select an 

 equal number of a round and oblong shape, as the first are gener- 

 ally believed to contain males, while the others contain females. 



2. After selecting the " breed-cocoons," all those very strong and 

 rich in silk, like the first day. 



3. Those of medium qucdity. 



4. All of a iveak and imjjerfect texture. 



5. The double cocoons, distinguished by their larger size and 

 coarser texture. 



The breed-bushes must be carefully handled for assorting; the 

 cocoons placed very tenderly into the baskets destined to receive 

 them, in order to avoid the bursting of the chrysalis and its soil- 

 ing the cocoon. 



Killing tJte Cocoons. 



When assorted, the nymphs must be killed to prevent their 

 gnawing through and spoiling the silk for the purpose of unwind- 

 ing it. It may be done in two ways : 



1. Bg dry heat in the bake-oven. The cocoons are to this end 

 put into l!fw wicker-baskets, and placed in the oven, at a temper- 

 ature of 30° to 35° R., upon bricks previously arranged. In con- 

 sequence of the heat, a noise of the suffocating nymphs will be 

 heard. Half an hour later, all is over and the business done. 



2. By steam. A kettle filled two third parts with water is 

 placed upon the fire until it boils. Upon it, so as to fit its size, a 

 sieve filled wnth cocoons is placed, and this covered over with wet 

 clothes to prevent the steam from escaping except through it. To 

 see whether all life is extinct, after about a quarter of an hour 

 take some of the cocoons and press them between the fingers. 

 The movement of the nymph will show if it is not dead. If put in 

 an airy place, the cocoons will soon recover their prior elasticity. 



As mistakes in the management of this business might damage 

 the article, the greatest care must be taken neither to increase the 

 heat in the oven too much, nor to expose the nymphs to bursting 

 by keeping the sieve too long over the kettle. 



Not very strong cocoons are better suited for the first manner; 

 those, however, whose nymph rattles for the latter. 



Converting the Cocoons into Money. 



To do this as soon as possible, and to the best advantage, must 

 be the chief object of the breeder. Waiting too long exposes him 

 to a twofold danger: 



1. Of the biting through of the butterflies if not killed; and, 



2. Of losing in weight and value by the drying in. 



To realize the money value, therefore, may also be effected in 

 a twofold way : 



