38 COMPLETE INSTRUCTION IN 



There are two principal varieties used in Japan, 

 the deep yellow and the pure white, the latter 

 said to produce the finest silk in the world. 



Green cocoons are not now held in high esteem 

 by any nation. The silk is very soft, but not as 

 strong as either the white or yellow. 



GREEN AND DRY COCOONS. 



Green or fresh cocoons are those that are just 

 spun, as also up to the time when they are per- 

 fectly dry. They should never be put away or 

 packed in close vessels, or even in sacks, because 

 they are very apt to mold. The sacks when 

 half full may be shaken up every day, and in 

 that way the cocoons may be dried. If a filature 

 is near-by, it is better to dispose of green cocoons, 

 than to spend the time drying them. 



It will require 150 to 600 green cocoons to 

 weigh one pound. It requires three to three and 

 a half times as many dry cocoons to give the 

 same weight. The price of dry cocoons is as 

 much greater as the weight is less. 



QUANTITY OF SILK ON COCOONS. 



The best breed of cocoons, under the most care- 

 ful management, will yield eighteen hundred 

 yards of silk. As yet, we have none of this breed 

 in the United States. Our good stock will yield 



