Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1885-05-02
SERICLLINRE.
IConllnn,d hiom last week. !


will be trained who will impart the
necessary knowledge to others.
Raw silk is divided into three classes,
"organzinc," tram" and floss" "Or-
CANINE" is well twisted and is the
choicest tram made from inferior
cocoons, is but slightly twisted GLOSS, "
is made from loose silk, carded and
spun like cotton. The persons Keeling
silk are generally women, one Of whom
sits or stands before each basin OF
which she has entire charge The
basin IS made Of tin OF copper, heated
by a charcoal or oil FIRE. In large
establishments the water is heated by
steam.
The cocoons arc plunged in the
water when it is near the boiling point,
and arc moved about so that the gum
which fastens the threads is thoroughly
soncned They are then stirred or
beaten with small bunch of birch
twigs with split ends, or with pieces Of
broom corn tied in a bunch, to which
the ends OF the threads will attach
themselves. The reclcr will then shake
the cocoons till each one hangs by a
single thread She now takes up
FIVE or more threads, according TO
the quality OF the silk wanted, unites
them, and puts the combined strand
through a little glass eye, or large glass
bead fastened on one side OF the reel
frame. She then forms similar strand
and puts it through another eye on the
other side. The strands are then
brought together, twisted several times,
separated above the twist and put
through two other glass eyes OF
wire loops through which they run, one
to each end OF the reel, which is kept
revolving in steady, rapid manner,
and to which is given sldc-way
motion which crosses and re-crosses the
silk in such manner that it will not
stick or glaze. The uniformity Of the
thread depends entirely on the skill of
the reeler, who must attach new
thread as soon as one breaks or a
cocoon gives out. This is called
nourshing the silk and is done by dex-
terously attaching the new thread to
the combined strand to which 1t i'm
mediatcly adheres. In this much
Judgment must be used, for as the silk
on cocoon gets lighter and finer as
it nears the end, the uniformity of the
strand does not entirely depend on the
number OF individual threads forming
it. When the silk comes off the cocoon
in punches the water is too hot ; when
it unwinds with difficulty it is too cold,
and il must be regulated as the operate,
sees it necessary. This is the operation
of Keeling but before the skeins as
they come from the reel are ready for
the manufacturer, they must be passed
through a cleanser-a clasp lined with
cloth which catches any loose silk or
other matter adhering to it. 1t is further
cleansed by being passed through four
similar cleansers, twisted about five
hundred times TO the yard doubled,
and again twisted four hundred
times to the yard. 1t is finally
run on reels about one and hall
feet in diameter, then taken off and
twisted in knots or hanks in a peculiar
manner. Through all these operations
the oscillating motion is continued, to
produce the crossing of the strands. In
the end it will be seen that it takes five
or more of the simple threads spun by
the worm to compose the staple thread
The loose "hock" silk, together with all
that cannot be reeled, is soaked in
water for three days, boiled in clear I've
for half an hour, washed in rain-water,
and when dry is carded and spun.
New silk reels are being introduced
for family use which are cheap, vel
perform the necessary work. In using
these simplifed, improved reels, the
cleansing, doubling and twisting opera
tons may be depensed with. 1t is no,
necessary to explain the mode OF twist.
ing, etc, to make up into sewing and
other silks, as that is simple operation
well known to all the farmers wives ir
the country. What the women anC
children of this country "did we'll" ONT
hundred years ago and over, can Ger
tainly be done now, with even home
made reel, spinning wheel, etc.
ESTIMATE OF PRODUCING CocooNs
The following is fair estimate o
producing cocoons, for two adults. or ;
man and wife
Average number of eggs per ounce
forty thousand. Average number o
fresh cocoons per pound, three hun
dred. Average reduction in weight fo
choked cocoons, sixty-six per cent
Maximum amount of fresh cocoons from
one ounce OF eggs, one hundred anC
thirty to one hundred and forty pounds
Allowing for deaths IN rearing twenty
six per cent, being large estimate
we thus get, as the product Of an ounc,
of eggs, one hundred pounds of fresh
or thirty-three pounds of choke(
cocoons. The adults can take charg,
OF the issue of from two to three ounce
of eggs, which will produce four hun
bred pounds of fresh, or one hundret
and lhirty-three pounds of choket
Cocoons.
The capital invested in food for tn,
worms is not included III these est
mates, nor is the first cost of the ounce
of eggs deducted The silk grove
should raise his own seed" and tn
time required for this purpose is NOR
than compensated for, by the tim
saved in feeding during the frs, an,
second ages of the worms. when tn
whole time OF two adults is not require,
as it is subsequently,
AS markets are now open for tn
purpose Of purchasing cocoons in thi
country, there will be no need OF ship
ping them to Europe The price
here vary, and will give the presen
price on application OF those wishing t