Sensational Silkworms

Yesterday I went back to the Mulberry farm with Shyam. The last time we were there they invited us to come back when the silkworms were cocooning. Most of the silkworms had finished spinning their cocoons by yesterday, but there were a few who were just getting started.

I was amazed at how large they were as compared to how tiny they were when we first went.

In this room I could actually hear the sound of the worms moving and spinning.

Here are a few worms just getting started.

The last time we were here this room housed about two dozen trays of tiny silkworms feeding on mulberry leaves. Now there are four or five rooms full of cocoons from those two dozen trays of silkworms.

This is the old version of a "jali" where worms make their the cocoons.

This is the modern version of the "jali".

It was explained to me that after the worms finish spinning their cocoon and before they finish their metamorphosis the cocoons are placed outside in the sun. This kills the larvae so that they don't eventually chew through the cocoon, breaking the continuity of the silk thread. If the thread is broken then it is worthless. After being baked in the sun the cocoons are boiled and the silk is unwound from the cocoon and spun onto a spindle.

This spindle can be run electrically or manually.

Some ladies spinning out the cocoons.

This "gamosa" is an example of the silk that is produced.

So it was another educational visit to the Mulberry farm me. I also learned that technically it is the Research Extension Centre of the Central Silk Board of the Ministry of Textiles of the Government of India...if that isn't a mouthful I don't know what is. I'll just keep calling it the Mulberry farm. :)