888 BLEACHING 



for twelve hours in nshes and rosin ; again withdrawn by the same machine g, 

 washed, squeezed (soo plan at u), and passed over winch e, and piled at /* (this 

 operation occupies one hour). They are then taken from pile //, and threaded 

 through sour-machine e, soured, passed over winch d', and piled at k (operation, 

 one hour), where it remains in the pile for three hours. It is then squeezed at u, 

 and washed through machine g (an hour's operation), delivered into third kier a, 

 boiled for six hours, washed at g, squeezed at u (an hour's operation), and passed 

 through cfiemick~mac/tine (an hour's operation), and piled for one hour ; after which 

 it is soured again (an hour's operation), squeezed, and washed at g (an hour's opera- 

 tion), squeezed again at / (an hour's operation), and dried by machine at p (Jig. 

 138). 



There are several advantages in using the squeezing process so often in the above 

 arrangement : Firstly, the bowels of the washing-machine are not so much damaged 

 by the heavy pressure which is required to be applied, if no squeezers are used, in 

 order to prepare the pieces for the sour and chemick machines. Secondly, a drier 

 state of the cloth than can possibly bo produced by the washing-machine alone, thus 

 fitting it to become better saturated with the chemick or sour. Thirdly, the piece 

 passing from the souring to the washing-machine, in this arrangement, carries with 

 it less of the acid, and thus ensures a better washing, with less water. 



It may bo observed, that the velocity of the above-mentioned machines is much 

 higher than usual, experience having shown that the various operations are thus 

 bettor performed than when running slower. The reason of this appears to be, firstly, 

 that the piece, running at such velocity, carries with it, by reason of capillary attrac- 

 tion, a greater quantity of liquid to the nip of the bowels ; secondly, the great velocity 

 of the bowels, together with the greater quantity of water carried up, produces a more 

 powerful current at the nip and down the ascending piece, thus penetrating to every 

 fibre of it. 



It may also bo remarked, that the above-mentioned machines are not adapted to 

 the bleaching of linen ; for the latter cloth, not having the same elasticity as cotton, 

 if it should become tight, would either bo pulled narrow or torn. 



In illustration of the continuous process as at present used, the plan of proceeding 

 at Messrs. McNaughten, Barton, and Thorn's, at Chorley, may be described. 



1. In order that there may be no interruption in the process, the pieces are united 

 in one continuous piece each piece being about 30 yards, the whole varying with the 

 weight of cloth about 300 yards long. Each piece is marked with the name of the 

 printer. This is sometimes done in marking-ink of silver, and sometimes in coal-tar, 

 at the extremity of the piece. The pieces are rapidly tacked together by girls, who 

 use in some establishments a very simple sewing-machine. (See SEWING-MACHINE.) 

 The whole amount to be bleached at a time is united in one piece, and is drawn from 

 place to place like a rope. To give them this rope-form, the goods are drawn through 

 an aperture whoso surface is exceedingly smooth, being generally of glass or earthen- 

 ware. Of these many are used in transferring the cloth from place to place. They 

 serve instead of pulleys. The cloth when laid in a vessel is not thrown in at random, 

 but laid down in a carefully made coil. The rope-form enables the water to penetrate 

 it more easily. 



2. The pieces are singed. 



3. They are boiled in the first kier. In this, 3,500 Ibs. of cloth have added to them 

 250 Ibs. of caustic lime, 1 Ib. of lime to 14 of cloth. The kier is cylindrical, 7 foet 

 deep and 8 feet in diameter ; as much water is added as will cover the cloth, about 

 500 gallons. This boiling lasts thirteen hours. 



4. They are washed in the washing-machine. Robinson and Young's machine 

 is used. 



5. They are soured in a similar machine with hydrochloric acid of specific gravity 

 10 10', or 2 of Twaddle. 



6. The same amount of cloth being supposed to be used, it is bucked in a solution 

 of soda-ash and resin, 170 Ibs. of soda-ash to 30 Ibs. of resin. The boiling lasts 

 sixteen hours, the same amount of water being used. 



7. Washed as before. 



8. Passed through chloride of lime, or chemicked. The cloth is laid in a stone or 

 wooden cistern, and a solution of bleaching-powder is passed through it, by being 

 poured over it and allowed to run into a vessel below ; this is managed by continued 

 pumping. This solution is about half a degree Twaddle, or specific gravity 1002-5. 

 The cloth lies in it from one to two hours. 



9. Washed. 



10. Boiled again in a kier for five hours with 100 Ibs. of carbonate of soda 

 crystals. 



11. Washed. 



