228 THE CALIFORNIA 



and better, I would recommend to have for that purpose 

 long boxes four feet wide, sides six inches high, to be 

 covered with glass frames ; this will greatly increase the 

 heat, and will have the effect of destroying the insect 

 promptly and surely. In this way, your cocoons will 

 also be protected against being destroyed by mice or 

 rats, or otherwise, as your boxes must be made close, to 

 afford no chance for these pests' to get in, because they 

 are immoderately fond of chrysalides. 



Select your Cocoons for the eggs. For seed, the very 

 best cocoons should be selected, that is, those which are 

 of the largest size and feel firm, and are of a bright 

 color ; and so far as possible, an equal number of males 

 and females ; the male cocoons are slender, depressed 

 in the middle, and pointed at Jboth ends ; the female 

 cocoons are of a larger size and of a rounder form, and 

 resemble in shape a hen's egg. 



If we keep selecting carefully our very best cocoons 

 for seed, it is my opinion, and also that of other com- 

 petent silk growers, that under our fine climate, so very 

 favorable to silk culture, within a few years, we will 

 obtain a California variety , that will surpass in size and 

 quality all the varieties known and cultivated now. 



After having stripped the floss, they may be strung 

 together by threads, being careful not to pierce the 

 cocoon, and hung up to the wainscot in festoons ; or 

 placed in a single layer in open paper boxes, on shelves 

 or tables, in a darkened, retired, warm and airy place ; 

 and from ten to fifteen days from the time they com- 

 plete spinning, according to the warmth of the season, 



