On Flax Mills.. 137 



well done by hand. Men who follow swingling at the 

 mill as a trade, become skilful, and can make the best 

 of any kind of flax ; whereas the men we employ in 

 this country are generally unskilful and careless. 



The machinery may be attached to other mills. I 

 have seen the swingles attached to other mills, and 

 heard of the rollers being also fixed to them ; but I by 

 no means think it prudent in this country, as the cli- 

 mate is dry, and they are apt to catch fire, for in win- 

 ter our millers work by lamp light, and other mills are 

 very valuable property. Horses or oxen rpiove too 

 slow, and fiax mills require a rapid motion. There is 

 a mill in Lancaster county, near the 48 mile stone on 

 this road, and I have seen flax dressed at it, that look- 

 ed as well done, as any I have seen in Europe : and I 

 am told that the proprietor has more to do than he can 

 perform. The price for preparing it is six cents per 

 pound : three hands dress 180 pounds in one day. 

 I am, your obedient servant, 



William Neill. 

 The Hon. Richard Peters. 



POSTSCRIPT, 



I have succeeded in procuring a model of the in- 

 side works of a flax mill, by which you will have a 

 clearer idea of the work than by any description I can 

 give. I now send it, and if it can be of any service to 

 my adopted country, I am completely satisfied. 

 CSee the Plate. J W. N. 



VOL. III. S 



