13 
silk. Serieulturists who cultivate say from 4 to 100 ounces lo3e no 
time in selling the cocoons, far the longer they are kept the greater 
will be the loss in weight, as above mentioned. 
Many unpractical persons have an idea that the reeling of the 
cocoons is done by the grower or farmer. A greater mistake could 
not possibly be made, because the reeling process is one of the most 
delicate and of such importance that it can only be properly done by 
adapted machinery in silk manufactories. To attempt the reeling 
by farmers is simply reducing the silk to an inferior quality, and 
greatly reducing its value. A market for cocoons is to be found close 
handy in any part of the world, and has a ready sale, the same as 
selling gold. At the present time there are persons in Melbourne 
ready to buy any quantity of cocoons. In any extraordinary eases 
where a market is difficult to be obtained, it would be necessary to 
smother or kill the chrysalis, so to prevent the danger of the moths 
piercing the cocoons, and this can he done by putting the cocoons in 
an oven at a degree 120 F. for twenty minutes, laying them on 
boards, and being careful to avoid scorching them. The cocoons 
must then bo removed and spread out to dry, as a certain amount of 
dampness will be contained from the chrysalis. To make sure that 
the chrysalis is dead, cut two or three cocoons, then test the chry¬ 
salis with a small hot iroD. If they move under this process, of 
course they are still alive. In the silk manufactories the chrysalis 
is killed principally by steam in a scientific systematical manner. 
When the cocoons are collected, the trays, twigs, and all appliances 
are cleared out of the room and stored away in a suitable place to be 
ready for the next season. 
Selection of Cocoons for the Supply of Eggs tor 
the following Season. 
Before the cocoons are sold, or the chrysalis killed, as befor 
stated, a selection is made from them, and for every ounce of eggs 
that is required for the next season, about 3G0 cocoons arc picked, and 
only tbe best formed and hard ones, with a healthy appearance and 
of uniform size. Out of the 3G0 cocoons, it is expt c ed to obtain an 
equal number of male and female moths—that is, ISC of each. The 
cocoons of females are generally of larger size, where .s the cocoons of 
males are smaller and narrow in the centre. A practical person will 
pick pretty near an equal number of the sexes, by observing this 
rule. The cocoons are placed on a tray well spread out at a tem¬ 
perature of 77deg. F., and after the worms have been in prison in 
the cocoons for about 22 days, they re appear in the form of the 
moths, which will pierce through and emerge from the cocoons, 
which takes place generally in the murniug early ; the empty 
cocoons, will then be reduced to one-seventh of their original 
weight. As soon as the moths appear, they are carefully taken by 
the wings and placed in a ventilated covered box, keeping the males 
separate from the females. The male moth can be easily recognised, 
as it is much smaller than the female, and very lively, while the 
female is large and very quiet. The moths are then placed on a 
substantial linen cloth, well washed, with a smooth surface, 
stretched on a frame and placed in a slanting position. All in¬ 
ferior moths, with an unhealthy appearance, or with any defect 
