376 



BLEACHING 



acids. The spots of grease are chiefly to be found in hand-loom goods, and the diffi- 

 culty concerning the fats is not therefore commonly felt where power-loom goods are 

 chiefly used, as in Lancashire. 



Washing. If the cloth is to be washed without having the pieces strung together, 

 the following methods may be adopted. The stocks are still used, but not in any largo 

 establishments in Lancashire. 



Figs. 119, 120, represent a pair of wash-stocks. A A are called the stocks or 

 feet. They are suspended on iron pivots at B, and receive their motion from wipers 



119 



on the revolving-shaft c. The cloth is laid in at D, and, by the alternate strokes 

 of the feet, and the curved form of the turnhead E, the cloth is washed and 

 gradually turned. At the same time an abundant stream of water rushes on the 

 cloth throughout holes in the upper part of the turnhead. Wash-stocks are much 

 used in Scotland and in Ireland. In the latter country they are often made with 

 double feet, suspended above and below two turnheads, and wrought with cranks 

 instead of wipers. Wash-stocks, properly constructed, make from 24 to 30 strokes 

 per minute. 



This mode of washing is now entirely given up in Lancashire, where a preference is 

 given to dash-wheels and washing-machines with squeezers. The dash are small 

 water-wheels, the inside of which is divided into four compartments, and closed up, 

 leaving only a hole in each compartment for putting in the cloth. There are, besides, 

 small openings for the free admission and egress of the water employed in cleansing. 

 The cloth, by the motion of the wheel, is raised up in one part of the revolution of the 

 wheel ; while, by its own weight, it falls in another. This kind of motion is very 

 effectual in washing the cloth, while, at the same time, it does not injure its strength. 

 The plan, however, where economy of water is of any importance, is very objection- 

 able ; because the wheel must move at by far too great a velocity to act to advantage 

 as a water-wheel. 



The wash or dash-wheel, 

 now driven by steam-power 

 in all good bleach- and 

 print-works, is represented 

 in fig. 121, upon the left 

 side in a back view, and 

 upon the right side in a 

 front view (the sketch being 

 halved). Fig. 122 is a 

 ground plan. 



a a is the washing-wheel ; 

 b b its shaft-ends ; c c their 

 brass bearings orplummer- 

 blocks, supported upon the 

 iron pillars d d. The frame 

 is made of strong beams of 

 wood, e e, bound together 

 by cross-bars with mortices. 

 f f, two of the circular 

 each leading to a quadrantal compartment within the dash-wheel. In 



apertures, 



