REELING AND MANUFACTURING SILK. 95 



sell it for raw silk would bring a hundred per cent more pro- 

 fit." 



A better method is to use a different kind of reel. Several 

 reels differing somewhat in their construction although made on 

 nearly the same principle, are in use in this country, for descrip- 

 tions of which we would refer our readers to Cobb's Manual, 

 Rush's Letter to the 20th Congress, &c. he. Whatever reel is 

 used, the difierent layers of silk must not be permitted to be 

 parallel to nor upon but cross one another. Without this cross- 

 ing, the threads from their gummy nature would inevitably ad- 

 here and render the subsequent windings and twisting of the silk 

 very difficult. This sticking together of the silk is called 

 glazing. The mechanism of the reels above mentioned prevents 

 the threads lying over each other on the reel till after it has 

 made many revolutions and former threads have dried, and 

 hence no adhesion takes place between them. 



" The reeling may be done at any season, but best in dry 

 weather ; it may be carried on in the dwelling-house or in a 

 shed, or other convenient out-building. 



" The softest water should be chosen for soaking the cocoons. 

 The proper temperature cannot be ascertained until the reeling 

 is commenced, owing to the different composition of the silk. It 

 is as well to raise it to near the boiling point, and then, if neces- 

 sary to lower it, cold water may be added. The soft or satiny 

 cocoons require water less heated than the others. If too hot 

 water be used they furze out in unwinding. The dupions or 

 double cocoons require the hottest water. The fire under the 

 basin may be lessened or increased, as the occasion may require ; 

 a little attention will soon enable the person who has the manage- 

 ment of tlie basin to preserve the water at the proper degree of 

 heat. The reeling is effected by use of a silk reel, and a basin 

 of water set over a moderate fire in a small furnace. The per- 

 son charged with the management of the cocoons in the basin 

 must be provided with a small whisk of broom com, or birch 

 twigs, cut sharp at the points ; and being seated behind the 

 basin, previously filled with hot soft water, and placed upon a 

 furnace, containing burning charcoal, she must throw into the 



