MEMOIR OF DANIEL TREADWELL. 379 



self-operating machinery for spinning lionip, — is the basis npon wliieh all others have been 

 built, — 3ct in the course of the past we have found it necessary to alter and materially change 

 their operation. While vre do not and cannot get greater excellence from our present machines 

 than from the former ones built under your directions, we get greater quantity with about 

 equal quality, and that is a very impoi'tant matter. 



We are now running nearly one hundred machines, — about one half machines of our own 

 construction, changed somev.diat from yours. Twenty are machines built in New York, and 

 some twenty-six are built after a pattern of Mr. Day's. The first and last are of about equal 

 excellence, and the New York machines are very inferior. The greatest improvement has been 

 made in the preparatory machines. In that department we have none of yours now running, 

 we have machines somewhat similar, and more effective. They all, however, are but modifica- 

 tions of yours. It will give you pleasure to learn that our cordage has attained a high reputa- 

 tion, standing second to none in our markets, while it is quoted in San Francisco as of the 

 highest rank. This is mainly owing to the greater twist and consequent firmness given to our 

 yarns from the operation of the machine. 



When I have a leisure hour, I shall with great pleasure call on yon in Cambridge, where 

 I now have a sister-in-law residing. I may say in closing, that neither my brother nor myself 

 has ever had occasion to regret the hour when we made an arrangement with you for your 

 machines. 



Very truly and respectfully yours, 



William J. Rotch. 



Another of the large New England manufacturers reports that no successful 

 rope-spinning machine is in operation (1886) that in its essentials is not based on 

 Mr. Treadwell's. Some changes have been made which render the machines more 

 productive without material injury to the quality. All kinds of hemp are spun on 

 them. The number now in use must be much larger than ever before. 



In perfection and utility, Treadwell's Gypsey ranks with Arkwright's spinning- 

 frame ; in ingenuity it far excels it ; and they stand side by side in the character of 

 their respective products. 



In Professor Ti-eadwell's inventions the material from the bale, after being b}- his 

 preparatory machine cleared of all extraneous matter, without special regard to size 

 or smoothness, enters the machine, and lies upon a belted hatchel, through which it 

 is drawn by rollers having a constant velocity, each fibre free to be moved in the 

 direction of its length without carrying others with it. By this means the fibres of 

 hemp are straightened and laid parallel, so that they are best prepared for spinning, 

 and for the finished yarn. If the number of fibres is too small to form a 3'arn of 

 the required size, the hatchel containing the roving advances, and furnishes a lar- 

 ger supply of fibres to the rollers; when the roving is of proper size, the hatchel 

 stops; if the supply is too large, a smaller hatchel combs out the surplus. Then 

 passing to the spinning section, it is drawn, twisted, and wound upon a bobbin, 



