88 COMPLETE INSTRUCTION IN 



SILK IN CHINA. 



In looking back over the world's history, we 

 find that so little is known by the general public 

 regarding this the third great textile industry of 

 the world, that it is deemed best here to give a 

 very brief outline of its rise, growth, and present 

 status. 



The silk industry originated in China. Old 

 traditions mention it as far back as 2700 B. C. 

 In those early days the royal household cared 

 for the silkworms and made silk into fabrics. 

 Reference is made by Chinese poets to the silk- 

 worm and the mulberry tree as early as 1000 

 years B. C. For centuries it was deemed a 

 capital offense to export eggs, or even let it be 

 known how these gorgeous robes were obtained. 



From China, sericulture gradually spread to 

 Persia, and finally to Europe. About A. D. 530, 

 two monks went over from Turkey to China, as 

 missionaries; and during their labors carefully 

 noted how the Chinese cared for the silkworm, 

 as well as how they handled the frail threads of 

 silk composing the cocoons. They managed to 

 secure a quantity of silk-eggs, put them into 

 hollow canes, and using these as walking-canes, 

 they walked out of China, carrying with them 



