570 SERICULTURE 



offend the prejudice of some. One of the great advantages 

 of the Eri cocoon is that one can allow the moth to escape without 

 the necessity for destroying the chrysalis ; where the above plan 

 causes offence, the chrysalis may be allowed to escape. The 

 stained cocoon will, however, fetch a lower price. What merchants, 

 in Europe object to is not so much the stain as the dirt which 

 always attaches to such cocoons. In some markets the merchants, 

 usually deduct 5 per cent, for dirt in estimating the value of the 

 cocoons. One reason why the white cocoons are preferred by 

 the manufacturers is that they are more easily dyed. The brown 

 cocoons, however, generally realize a good price. In order to- 

 secure the whiteness of the cocoons, the best plan is to place 

 the worms in layers of crumpled newspapers in a basket for 

 spinning their cocoons. We have found this very effective. We 

 bale the cocoons according to their quality. Those that are white 

 and quite clean go in one class, those that are partially clean go. 

 in another, while those of bad colour go in a third." 



