44 CORDAGE FIBRES 



network, one above the other, to prevent the matting of the 

 fibre. The trays of the fibre are placed in the pot with the 

 lye at 3 Tw., and allowed to boil for about seven hours. The 

 fibre is then taken out, rinsed in pure water to remove all traces 

 of soda, and then steeped for ten or twelve hours in chloride 

 of lime solution at J Tw., contained in a stone trough. When 

 taken out of this steep it is again rinsed in pure water and 

 placed in a solution of sulphuric acid or oil of vitriol of i Tw., 

 where it is left for some hours, and then again thoroughly 

 washed. If all traces of gum have not completely disappeared 

 the two latter processes are repeated as frequently as required. 

 After the fibre has been submitted to all this chemical 

 treatment it will be found to be rather harsh and dry. In 

 order that it may lend itself easily to the spinning operations, 

 it will be found advantageous to give it back its suppleness by 

 treating it with oily matter, or " prepare," to replace that 

 which has been removed by the action of the soda and the 

 acid. A good result will be obtained by steeping the fibre, 

 before finally drying it, in an oily solution prepared as follows : 

 To every 15 qt. of boiling water add 7 oz. of glycerine, 7 oz. of 

 Castile or white oil soap, 4 oz. of white wax, and 2 oz. of 

 tallow ; 5 oz. of olive, castor, or rape-seed oil, with 5 gr. of 

 caustic potash, may be used instead of soap if desired. 



