Reed Screens (Continued)

Reed screens original: "簾", lian are of the utmost importance. When placed upon the mountain scaffolds original: "山棚", shanpeng, tiered wooden racks used to hold silkworm trays and maximize space, they are indispensable for gathering the worms for their final stage of cocooning. There is no fixed rule for their length or width; rather, they must be constructed to match the specific dimensions of the rearing room. Generally, a single room should be filled by spreading out four to six screens. It is essential to weave these screens yourself to ensure a precise fit, as those purchased ready-made are quite difficult to piece together effectively.

Among various types of reeds, there is a variety that is slender and perfectly straight called skinny reed original: "篛蘆", ruolu, which is the best material for weaving screens. The cord used should also be thin; if the cord is fine, the weave of the screen will be tight, preventing the danger of young silkworms falling through the gaps.

To weave them, first construct a wooden frame seven or eight feet long and over one foot wide a Chinese "foot" or chi is approximately 31-33 centimeters. Along the crossbars of the frame, at intervals of every four inches approximately 12 centimeters, fix bamboo nails in a cross pattern. When you are ready to weave, first clean the reeds by removing the husks and leaves original: "籜葉", tuoye and trimming off the thin tips. Set the wooden frame level upon a pair of stools or a similar support. At each point where the bamboo nails cross, clamp a long cord. Lay a single reed horizontally across the cords, then take the cords and weave them alternately over and under each successive reed.

The Weeding Rake

The weeding rake original: "撥草耙", bocaopa is a tool used for clearing away rice straw and withered leaves from the silkworm beds. The head of the rake is six inches long and two inches wide, featuring teeth made from iron nails. The handle is four inches long, a size specifically chosen for ease of grip and maneuverability within the trays.