2. Preparing to Reel
“Stoving”
The reeling process is the first step in which machinery plays an important part. When the cocoons are ready they must first be submitted to the “stoving” process, or stifling, in which they are exposed to heat sufficient to kill the chrysalis inside. This is followed by further drying, after which the cocoons are shipped in bags to the filatures and may be kept indefinitely without injuring the filament.
“Beating”
Waste Material
As a preliminary to reeling, the cocoons are immersed in boiling water to soften the gum that holds the fibre together. While in the water they are brushed with a coarse brush to remove the heavy outer strands of the cocoon—a process called “beating.” These outer strands are usually too harsh and broken to be reeled, but are afterwards utilized as so-called waste which is used for spun-silk manufacture.[4] This applies also to the innermost layers of the cocoon. About one-half of the thread on a cocoon actually finds its way into thrown silk. The remainder is “waste.” When, by brushing, the true threads are reached it is possible to start reeling, and barring occasional breaks these threads are continuous all the way down to the chrysalis.