482 



FLAX 



by subdividing the strides into two or thrco portions, and then placing them con- 

 secutively, slightly elongated, and overlaying each other about ^ths of their length 



948 



949 



upon and in the direction of an endless creeping sheet or apron. The machines are 

 generally made with two of these creeping sheets or aprons, and upon each sheet are 

 thus laid two distinct lines of strides ; each of which forms a thick uniform body of 

 line, and capable of being maintained to an indefinite length. These endless creeping 

 sheets supply continuously another part of the machine, where the body of ' line ' is 

 drawn out to between 20 and 60 times its original length, according to whether it is 

 composed of cut or long flax. This part of the machine comprises a pair of holding 



950 



or back rollers ; an endless succession of bars called fallcrs, bearing combs of closely- 

 ranged steel pins, through which the slivers arc drawn ; a pair of drawing rollers ; an 



