48 DICKSON ON THE 



EXPENSES AND ECONOMY. 



The expenses and economy in the working of my machines, 

 compared with the very inefficient machines used in this 

 country and Ireland, can be summed up in a very few words. 

 Skilled labourers (such as men called scutchers) are entirely 

 dispensed with. The machines will do double the work by 

 being attended by girls at Is. per day, to that of Irish 

 scutchers at the rate of 3s. 4d. per day, which I paid at my 

 factory in London. (See the report at pages 17 to 33.) 



MIXING AND USING THE PATENT 

 PRESERVING LIQUID. 



The mixing and using my Patent Preserving Liquid must 

 be regarded as a matter of deep interest, inasmuch as nothing 

 but practice will enable the operator to be always successful 

 in producing the most favourable results. However, one thing 

 is certain, by this process the fibre cannot be injured, as is 

 the case very often in retting and decomposing by steeping in 

 HOT or COLD WATER ; for, as the chief article used in the oil 

 taken from Flax seed, RAPE SEED, and COTTON SEED, or oil 

 from any other vegetable, to which we add a portion of tur- 

 pentine, and as much ammonia as will make the whole com- 

 pound into a saponacious liquid, when a similar number of 

 gallons of hot water are added. Such a mixture must preserve 

 rather than injure the fibre. Rheea, Flax, Hemp, or any other 

 of the various fibres of India, to which I shall hereafter refer, 

 being immersed in this liquid, will imbibe sufficient oil to add 

 both to the strength and spinning qualities of the fibre, and it 

 entirely depends on the operator whether he obtain fine or 

 coarse fibre. As to the labour and expense of preparation, one 

 thing is certain that, from 12 to 16 per ton, even for the 



