604 REPOKT OP THE COMMISSIONER OP AGRICULTUBE. 



chine from other sources, I can give no statements as to its merits. TThe 

 a]>pliance consists in a scutching and hackling wheel, corrugated rolls, 

 and a wheel carrj'ing several series of tools, each consisting of a steel 

 wire brush, a scutching blade, and several hackling combs, with other 

 appliances for cleaning the fiber from the extraneous matter of the leaf. 

 After running one end of the leaf to be operated upon, through the 

 breaking rolls, it goes to the scutching blades and hackling combs, the 

 wire brush effectually removing the outer coating of the leaf, and also 

 the pulp, and separates from the refuse matter the fiber in a clean, un- 

 broken mass. When one end of the leaf has been treated, it is reversed 

 and the other end treated in the same manner. 



A machine similar in principle, and for the same purpose, was patented 

 in November of last year by Pedro Sanchez, of Tabasco, Mexico. 



An "istle" machine, intended to facilitate the slow and primitive 

 process of obtaining the fiber of Bromelia sylvestris by hand scraping, 

 was patented in January, 1876. Its inventor is Guillermo R. Welke, of 

 Parras de la Fuento, Mexico. 



The invention consists mainly of devices for scraping the leaves, while bein^ drawn 

 by rollers through the scraping knives, which are made to yield to the thickness of 

 the leaves. The leaves are placed between the scrapers up to the gage-piece, and then 

 carried with the scrapers toward the feeding rollers. Sliding and reciprocating scraper- 

 jaws are operated by suitable transmitting mechanism, by the forward motion of the 

 scraper frame, for scraping off the ends of the leaves, which are conveyed to areceiy- 

 Lng platform, and dropped by the same into a receptacle below. 



The patentee claims that previous to the invention of the machine in. 

 question, all the fiber of "istle" produced — great quantities of which 

 are annually consumed — was prepared by hand. 



Wliile uj)on this subject, it will be well to mention an improved process 

 for disintegrating the stalks of hops, a patent for which was issued to 

 Isaac N. Nordliuger, of Stuttgart, Germany, September 4, 1878. The 

 object of the invention was the production of fiber adapted for spinning 

 purposes, from hop stalks, which have been considered worthless. The 

 fiber is said to be long and fine and can not only be used as an upholster- 

 ing material, but also with gxeat advantage for spinning and weaving. 

 The product resembles flax fiber very closely, and its inventor claims that 

 " in respect to elasticity, softnesss, and durability it is superior to all other 

 fibrous materials, such as nettle fiber" and those of a similar nature. It 

 is also said to be cheaper. The process is a boiling and chemical treat- 

 ment of the stalks of the hop plant. 



SUMMARY. 



In conclusion, it would appear from all that has been advanced upon 

 the subject that these fiber products still occupy a recognized position 

 in American agriculture; that, notwithstanding many adverse influ- 

 ences, causing serious fluctuations and irregularities of production, they 

 still engage active attention. That their production may be extended 

 in the future there are no doubts. It is evident, however, that old sys- 

 tems must be discarded, for the spirit of the age is a spirit of progress. 

 The successful farmer of the future must keep up with the times, calling 

 to his aid the experience of the world around him and such helps as in- 

 ventive genius and the necessities of the times may bring forth. 



The flax industry, it might be supposed, should be prosperous. How- 

 ever flourishing the cotton industry, there is room for flax. The demand 

 for oil renders imi)erative its growth; the need of oil-cake in foreign 

 meat production is a governing force in its cultivation; the cattle-feed- 



