CHINESE MODE OF REARING SILKWORMS. 143 
wherein the caterpillars were kept, they were more 
numerous and stronger than where the edges of the 
hurdles were under the shade. 
The worms take seven days to complete the 
cocoons, at which time they are collected into heaps, 
and those intended for continuing the breed, are 
selected and placed on hurdles in a dry and airy 
situation. ‘ The next care is to destroy the chry- 
salides in those balls which are to be reeled. The 
most approved method of performing this, is to fill 
large earthen vessels with cocoons, in layers, throw- 
ing in one-fortieth part of their weight of salt upon 
each layer, covering the whole with large dry leaves 
resembling those of the water-lily, and then closely 
stopping the mouths of the vessels. In reeling their 
silk, the Chinese separate the thick and dark from 
the long and glittering white cocoons, as the produce 
is inferior.” * c 
* Cabinet Library, Silk Manufacture, p. 126. 
