426 



FLAX 



and others combining other improvements with this object. Carmichael's patent 

 machine (figs. 939, 940) was, as brought out at first, simply the old flat machine with 



938 



velf-acting motions for actuating the holders applied to it. It was afterwards much 

 improved by the adoption of an inclined shoet in imitation of a very successful 

 self-acting modification of the old flat machine which was brought out by Combe, of 

 Belfast, whose machine, at this time, is considered by many to be the best one in use 

 for long line. 



The distinguishing feature in these rival machines is, that in Carmichaers the 

 motions are all performed by the descent of ponderous weights, while in the other 

 they are performed by the direct action of the machine. 



There are other differences affecting the working of the machines, which are by 

 practical hacklers considered of great importance, and as giving more value to Combe's 

 machine. The most important of these is the facility of adjusting the place whore 

 the holders approach the flax, which greatly affects the yield of line. 



The same principles of actuating the holders were applied to cylinder machines for 

 hackling cut flax, but, as these have been displaced by more recent inventions, it is not 

 necessary further to refer to them. "Wordsworth's machine, already figured (fig. 938), 

 was of importance, as being the basis of several other valuable machines. Its essential 

 feature was arranging the hackles on two sets of endless sheets placed opposite each 

 other, and driven and connected by wheel-work so as to revolve together, the surfaces 

 being placed so close together that the hackle pins penetrated the flax from both 

 sides, and hackled at the same time. The largo circle described by the points of the 

 hackles in this machine, which prevented them cutting the flax close to the holders, 

 and other imperfections, led to its abandonment. Some years since, Combe of 

 Belfast designed for the eminent flax-spinning firm of Marshall and Co., of Leeds, 

 a modification of this machine, which since has been known as Ardill and Pk-kard's 

 machine, and has come into extensive use. The principal new feature in this machine 

 was the introduction of cranked wheels for supporting and carrying the hackles, for 

 the purpose of making the points of the hackles describe a small circle, and thus enable 

 them to cut close to the holders. Although successful, this invention did not fully 

 accomplish the object aimed at. About the same time, Marsden's intersecting 

 machine was brought forward, and possessed a great reputation for a length of time. 

 Its success was a good deal owing to the flax hackled by it having an apparent fine- 



