[ ^99 ] 



ExtraH from one of the 'Dublin News-Papers, 

 for Augufi 1787. 



*^ It is conjectured, and with a great degree of 

 plaufibility, that flax might be inftantaneoufly pre- 

 pared for the purpofe of fkutching, and all the 

 tinne and labour of the prefent procefs faved by 

 imnrierfing it in boiling, inftead of cold water. So 

 far as fpeculation may be allowed, and an analogy 

 with the efFedls of cold and boiling water will hold 

 good, there is every reafon to think the experiment 

 would be crowned with fuccefs. On a fmaller 

 fcale we have the authority of a gentleman to aflert, 

 that the above mode has been pradlifed with fuc- 

 cefs. One of his undertenants had occafion to 

 bring fome yarn to market, but had no flax pre- 

 pared,' and but one day intervened with the mar- 

 ket: flie pulled fome green flax, and merely for 

 experiment boiled it in a large iron pot for fome 

 time, when it fo fully anfwered her expe6lation, 

 that flie was enabled to put the flax through all its 

 operations, and bring it to market next day in yarn. 

 S^en eft tropy fen double, 



** I have not yet received the particulars of the 

 experiment in Scotland 3 but Sir John Sinclair, to 

 whom I fent a copy of my refledlions, tells me that 

 ^ clergyman of Caithnefs of his acquaintance tried 



the 



