186 Silk Manufacture. 



average to be three hundred yards. Miss Rhodes found that her 

 cocoons weighed three grains each. Count Dandolo calculates 

 the weight to be three eighty-four hundredths grains, equal to 

 about three and a fourth English grains. 



' The size of an ordinary cocoon of good quality is about an 

 inch in its largest diameter, and one thiid less in its smallest di- 

 ameter. The largest diameter of dupions is an inch and a quar- 

 ter, and their smallest diameter three quarters of an inch. 



*■ The attendance required for the care of silkworms does not 

 wholly occupy the time of those employed, and it is, therefore, 

 difficult to ascertain its amount with correctness. Pullein states, 

 that for rearing the worms produced from six ounces of eggs two 

 attendants are necessary imtil the fourth age, and that after this 

 period five or six persons are required. Count Dandolo, with his 

 accustomed accuracy, reduces the time required for attendance 

 upon the produce of five ounces of eggs to an equality with one 

 hundred days' continuous labour of one individual. 



' From these data it is found, that to obtain one pound of reeled 

 silk it requiit;s twelve pounds of cocoons; that rather more than 

 two thousand eight hundred worms are employed in forming these 

 cocoons; and that to feed these during their caterpillar state, one 

 hundred and fifty-two pounds of mulberry leaves must be gathered. 

 This pound of reeled silk is capable of being converted into six- 

 teen yards of gros de Naples of ordinary quality, or into fourteen 

 yards of the best description. 



' Experience has shown that some regulation of temperature is 

 necessary in producing the moths from the cocoons. If the heat 

 in which these are placed be above seventy-three degrees, their 

 transition would be too rapid, and their productiveness would be 

 lessened: on the other hand, if the temperature be below sixty-six 

 degrees the developement of the moths is tardy, and their produce 

 equally falls below the due proportion. 



' The moths should begin to issue from their concealment in 

 about fifteen days. The female deposits her eggs upon sheets of 

 paper, or strips of linen, which are 'then hung in a cool situation, 

 and when dry are preserved in an airy place, and securely shield- 

 ed from damp and from vermin. In making choice of a situation 

 wherein to store these eggs for the winter, although it is necessary 

 to keep them cool, that premature hatching may be avoided, it is, 

 on the other hand, indispensably requisite to preserve them from 

 too intense a degree of cold: a temperature wherein water will 

 freeze would be infallably destructive to their vitality. 



