PREPARING THE COCOONS FOR REELING. 13 
of the silk. Any vessel or box into which steam may he 
introduced will answer. A good way is to. lay the- cocoons 
three or four inches deep, in a sieve or steamer, and place 
over a pot of boiling water, covering so as to retain the steam. 
They must remain from fifteen to twenty minutes. After 
this the cocoons must be spread upon boards or shelves to 
dry thoroughly, or the dead insect might corrupt and stain 
the silk. Stir often for the first two or three days, and 
afterward occasionally for five or six weeks, when they will 
be perfectly dry, and ready for reeling or shipping ; they 
may be packed in barrels or boxes, in order to preserve 
them from insects, sprinkle a little powdered camphor gum, 
or any other insectifuge through them. Reeling establish- 
ments have improved facilities for stifling, and if the cocoons 
can be sent to one of these as soon as gathered, much labor 
is saved. The cocoons, when dried, will be reduced to one- 
third of their original weight. 
Reproduction. 
f&|^|ROM twelve to twenty days after the worms commenc- 
- ed to spin, the moths will emerge. They are provided 
with a secretion with which to moisten the end of the 
cocoon, enabling them to make their escape ; in 
doing this they push aside the threads, but so many are broken 
that it renders the cocoon unfit for reeling. These are known 
as pierced cocoons. The moths come out early in the morn- 
ing, and are moist at first, but soon become dry. The male 
is known by the continual flutter of the wings, and smaller 
size. The female moves but little, her body being heavy 
with eggs. They discharge a reddish fluid as soon as they 
leave the cocoon, after which they will soon mate, when they 
must be removed, taking them by the wings and placing on 
white paper, in a dark room, care being taken not to injure 
or separate them. As the others mate they should be placed 
with those already paired. Sometimes a male becomes 
separated from his companion, when he should be replaced 
or he may cause disturbance and other separations. If there 
is a surplus of males, they should be reserved for next day, 
as there may then be more females. There are differences 
of opinion as to the length of time required for the perfect 
impregnation of the eggs, but it is safe to let them remain 
