ftfcfeUNG SILK. 79 



the ends which compose the thread are false, new 

 ones must be added, to supply their deficiency, or the 

 thread will be uneven and of little value, if not entirely 

 worthless. This will also show the utility of putting 

 in a few more cocoons than is intended to continue, 

 as they will soon be reduced to the competent num- 

 ber. Crossing the threads is also recommenced, 

 though they are sometimes reeled uncrossed. If the 

 cocoons are drawn up to the guides on the thread the 

 motion of the reel must be slackened and they must 

 be stroked down with the thumb and finger. Dur- 

 ing the reeling, the reeler must constantly add new 

 fibres to each thread, as fast as she can find the ends. 

 In order for this, the basin must be occasionally re- 

 plenished with cocoons and care taken that they be 

 wholly immersed in the water that they may be 

 equally soaked. As fast as the cocoons are wound 

 off, and such as wind onlyin part, they must be taken 

 out of the water, otherwise they will injure the color, 

 and lustre of the silk. The water must also be chang- 

 ed as soon as it becomes discolored. 



A person unacquainted with reeling would natur- 

 ally suppose that rapid revolutions of the reel, would 

 overstrain and be liable to break the thread ; but ex- 

 perience has proved the reverse to be true. It has 

 been found that the thread never breaks in conse- 

 quence of the rapidity with which the reel revolves, 

 and that the silk reels better with a quick than a slow 

 motion. The breaking of the fibres is owing to the 

 imperfection of the cocoons, or to an improper regu- 

 lation of the heat of the water, in which they are im- 

 mersed. If the water is too hot, it will occasion 

 burrs, which stop at the holes through which the 

 thread passes and cause it to break. If it is too cold 



