RAW-SILK. 



it is found fit for purposes to which it had not (c.) 

 before been thought suitable. ^of siik"' 



Resolved, That the most judicious and active ^Jf"';^^"^'";^''' 



*i 21 May 1808, 



measures should be immediately adopted for the 

 further improvement of the quality of Bengal 

 Silk, and the raising and bringing over a greatly 

 increased quantity. 



Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to 

 confer with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman 

 of the East-India Company. 



No. 4. 



Description of the Manufacture of Country -wound 

 and Filature-wound Silk. 



COUNTRY-WOUND SILK. 



This silk appears to have been prepared by the Country, 

 following method. ^^^af^ 



The chassars, or rearers of the silk-worm, wind ''''""'^ ^'^^ 

 off" the cocoons in earthen basins (with the aid of 

 cow-dung as fuel instead of wood,) upon the com- 

 mon Bengal nuttahs, or reels made of bamboo, 

 the thread so reeled being called putney. Fine 

 and coarse threads are wound in the same skein 

 indiscriminately, and parts of the husk frequently 

 introduced to increase the weight ; it is hence ne- 

 cessary to have the putney rewound. This is first 

 done on bobbins, in order to preserve the different 



degrees 



