WASHING AND WRINGING FLAX. 47 



WASHING AND WRINGING. 



After the Flax and Hemp and such fibres as RHEEA, PINE- 

 APPLE, AGAVE, &c., from our Indian empire, upon which I have 

 been experimenting, have been broken and scutched and 

 released from the wood and resin or gum, the part of the 

 machine for washing and wringing through hot water, must be 

 put into requisition, and as the tank for the LIQUID or WATER 

 is placed on the top of the machine for BLEACHING, WASHING, 

 and WRINGING purposes, with the agreed for and exclusive 

 right and use of Messrs. Atkins and Sons patent carbon filter, 

 a matter of the greatest importance in obtaining a clear white 

 and a thorough bleach, and for such a purpose no filter has 

 yet been produced equal to it. The operative has only to turn 

 on the tap and BLEACH and WASH, HOT WRING and HOT 

 MANGLE at pleasure, according as the material be fibres for the 



use of COTTON, SILK, WORSTED, Or FLAX SPINNERS, Or be 



SHIRTS or other linens for household purposes. For any or all 

 of the above uses the machines will be found to be unequalled, 

 for saving in expense and expedition, and free from injuring 

 material in the bleaching, washing and hot finishing. The 

 hot water being turned on through the axle into the centre 

 land or drum of the washing machine, a few turns will soon 

 free the fibre from any green colouring matter, gum, or resin, 

 without loss by decomposition; and the wringing machine 

 being supplied with steam in the centre drum, over which the 

 Flax and hemp passes, I am enabled, by the use of this 

 machine, to more than half dry the ^fibres as they pass 

 through it. 



