100 REELING AND MANUFACTURING SILK. 



The water is also necessary for the woman managing the co- 

 coons, 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 

 covered while the water is heating. 



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

 thick upon the brush or comes up in lumps, it is a sigq 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 too hot : if the cocoons do not follow 

 the threads, it is too cold. 



" Mr. Nouaille says, that a woman at Novi, (Italy,) experi- 

 enced in the business, with the assistance of a girl to turn the 

 reel and attend to the fire under the cauldron, can with ease reel 

 oiF one pound of silk consisting of four or five cocoons of the 

 most perfect quality in a day. I am credibly informed that the 

 price of silk reeled according to the above directions, in Europe, 

 is from four to seven dollars, according to its fineness. Mr. 

 D'Homergue says a woman may now reel three pounds in a 

 day. Mr. Brown thought he could reel a pound in a day upon 

 my improved reel, but I have never been able to have the finer 

 qualities of silk reeled so rapidly in my family. The silk reeled 

 upon my reel* sells for ^4,50 per pound as it comes from the 

 reel, and some at a higher price. My reel is similar to the 

 Piedmontese, with some considerable improvements ; it is finish- 

 ed in a much neater style than any I have seen in this country ; 

 it is portable and will be furnished to any who may apply, for 

 the sum of twenty-five dollars. 



* The fringe of the curtains in the house of Hon. Daniel Web- 

 ster of Boston, was made by Mr. Brown from silk raised by me 

 and reeled in my filature. — Ed. Cobb's Manual. 



