450 FLAX 



of the system by the introduction of a reel that should automatically prevent these 

 causes of error. Such a reel was patented a few years since, and is now in general 

 use in Scotland ; it is so contrived as to have the capacity of stopping itself when a 

 thread breaks, when a bobbin finishes, and leas and hanks are completed ; and having 

 but four or five bobbins in one compartment, the stoppages affect but few at a time ; 

 and as this machine can be worked by less skilful persons without possibility of error, 

 much saving is effected both in wages and material. The annexed figure (082) shows 

 the principle of this improved reel. 



A A (fig. 982), framing ; n reels ; c c, pendulums on which are hung the bobbins to 

 be wound off; D, driving shaft with ratchet wheels opposite to each pendulum, BO 

 that when a thread breaks, tho pendulum to which it is attached falls into the ratchet 

 wheel, and thus stops it, 



982 



The drying of wet spun yarns should always, when possible, be done in the open 

 air by spreading the hanks upon horizontal poles through them, with another similar 

 pole resting inside upon their lower extremities, in order to keep them straight. If 

 artificial heat is employed, that from steam or hot water is preferable, and it should 

 never exceed 90 Fahr., as otherwise the yarn is apt to become harsh. 



Making up. By this operation is first produced upon the yarns a certain soft- 

 ness and suppleness, and then the hanks are folded and tied up in conveniently-sized 

 packages. 



In order to give the yarns that soft and mellow feel so agreeable and characteristic 

 of flax yarns, tho hanks when brought from tho drying are what is called slakon 

 down and pin-worked. This is done by separating a few at a time, and passing them 

 on to a strong arm of wood fixed to a wall or pillar, when, with a heavy baton put 

 through them, the workman proceeds to stretch tho hanks with a sudden check or 

 jerk, which operation he repeats in two or three places so as to thoroughly straighten 

 and shake thorn loose ; ho then, using the same baton as a lever, twists them lightly 

 backwards and forwards till the desired degree of suppleness is obtained. A brush is 

 sometimes used to aid the straightening and separating, as well as to increase tho 

 gloss on the yarn. Tho hank or hanks will then be found to have assumed a flat 

 shape, as on the reel, which facilitates their folding with a dexterous twist by their 

 middle, when they arc laid in square piles upon a table with their twisted folds one 

 upon another. They are maintained in tho perpendicular by a few supports fixed in 

 the table. Sometimes these packages, which according to tho sizes of tho yarn, con- 

 sist of from quarter of a bundle to five or six bundles, arc bound together by some of 

 their own hanks, but sometimes by cords in three or four places of their length. It is, 

 however, better to employ a bundling press than an ordinary table, as tho yarn ran 

 then be made up more solidly, thus both improving its appearance, and causing it to 

 occupy loss space for packing and stowage. The bundling presses are made upon tho 

 same principle, but on a smaller scale, than those used for making up tho small parkrts 

 in which sewing threads are generally presented for sale, and are upon the following 

 construction (fgs. 983, 984): 



