The cocoons are first assorted, those of the same color being placed
by themselves, and those of fine and coarse texture likewise. The
outside loose silk is then removed, as this cannot be reeled, after
which the cocoons are plunged into warm water to soften the “gum” which
sticks the threads together. The operator brushes the cocoons with a
small broom, to the straws of which their fibers become attached, and
then carefully unwinds the loose silk until each cocoon shows but one
thread. These three operations are called “soaking,” “brushing,” and
“cleansing.”
Into one or two compartments in a basin of warm water below the reel
are placed four or more cocoons, according to the size of the thread
desired. The threads from the cocoons in each compartment are gathered
together and, after passing through two separate perforated agates a
few inches above the surface of the water, are brought together and
twisted around each other several times, then separated and passed
upward over the traverse guide-eyes to the reel. The traverse moves
to and fro horizontally, distributing the thread in a broad band over
the surface of the reel. The rapid crossing of the thread from side to
side of the skein in reeling facilitates handling and unwinding without
tangling, the natural gum of the silk sticking the threads to each
other on the arms of the reel, thus securing the traverse. Silk reeled
by hand or foot power is known as “Re-reel” silk, while silk reeled by
power machinery is called “Filature.”]
[Illustration: A FILATURE--REELING THE SILK FROM COCOONS BY POWER
MACHINERY.[2]]
[Illustration: DRYING SKEINS OF SILK.]
[Illustration: THE SILK IS WOUND ON SPOOLS