8. Grading Cocoons

The grading of cocoons is the first procedure of the silk reeling production. The silkworms, because of their individual difference and the difference of the environment in which they are producing silk and cocooning, make cocoons not of the same quality. Some of them can be used for silk reeling, while others cannot. The aim of the grading of cocoons is to grade the cocoons according to demands to pick out the cocoons not fit for silk reeling. The cocoons of clean and white color, good luster, uniform layer thickness and neat shape and size are called first choice-cocoons, and may be used for silk reeling; twin cocoons are usually used to make silk floss quilts; and other yellow spotted cocoons, perforated cocoons, thin shelled cocoons, flossy cocoons, etc. have to be rejected.