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The method of rearing silkworms in the production of silk is known as sericulture. The modern day method of sericulture is a blend of ancient techniques and modern innovations. The first step in producing silk is hatching the silkworm eggs, which have been previously examined to make sure they are free of any disease. After the eggs hatch, larvae emerge and are given a royal treatment. They receive freshly cut mulberry leaves and after they molt for the forth time the larvae go to a branch that has been placed near them where they start forming their cocoon. The silk is a continuous fiber consisting of fibroin protein secreted from two salivary glands in the head of each larvae, and a gum called sericin which is used to seal the silk cocoon together. When the cocoon is completed they are fumigated or steamed in order to kill the pupae, which resides within, thus stopping any further growth and not allowing the pupae to mature, become an adult, and break the cocoon, which would compromise the cocoon and make it so that it could not be used for silk production. Well after all this had been done, the cocoons are placed in hot water to soften them and to remove the sericin, thus allowing the silk fiber to unwind and be prepared for reeling. The single fibers are taken from water bowls and combined to from yarn. The yarn is dried, packaged according to quality, and is now raw silk ready for marketing. The reason that the silk is considered to be so iridescent is that the fiber has a triangular shape that reflects light like a prism. .
There are two main types of silk that exist in the world. The first one is raw silk and this comes from the silkworm species Bombyx mori. The other main type of silk that exists in the world is known as wild silk or Tussah. Raw silk is a very luxurious fabric with a luxurious hand. It is extremely durable, and it can be easily dyed but as for overall strength raw silk is not the strongest of the different types of silks.