PROCESS OF HACKLING. 63 



and it requires some care on the part of those attending the 

 machines, when callecting the tow from those sharp-toothed 

 implements. The tow hackled from the finer Flax is pre- 

 pared for spinning by a carding machine similar to that used 

 in the cotton manufacture, and in order to counteract the 

 dust nuisance, I find it has been recommended to enclose each 

 carding engine in a separate stall. 



The Flax being sorted, is next carried to the spreading or 

 drawing frames, when the young operatives attend to the 

 feeding of those machines ; this operation answers the same 

 end as that to which the hand-spinners in olden times had to 

 attend with care, when ' ' the ball and distaff arrangement by 

 Arachne excited the wonder of the nymphs.'* In the simple 

 process of spreading the Flax passing from this to the roving 

 frames, the process continues in drawing out the slivers, which 

 are delivered into cylindrical boxes until wound on bobbins or 

 spools, ready for the spinning frame. 



I might here enter into a minute description of these 

 frames, but I consider such would be superfluous, as every 

 day alterations and improvements are made by the suggestions 

 of the practical men who attend those machines. Flax is 

 spun from the roving similar to that of long combed wool ; 

 but it is requisite that the Flax rovings pass through hot 

 water, which is supplied in covered troughs, on their way 

 between the delivering bobbins and the spindles a dew or 

 spray is continually thrown off by the yarns, as it is rapidly 

 turned and taken in by the fliers of the spindles ; however, in 

 a well planned mill there is little inconvenience or wet to 

 be seen. 



Having briefly explained the spinning process, it is unne- 

 cessary to do more than to say that the Flax is continually 

 attenuated, by being passed through the different machines 

 mentioned, until a roving is made perfectly even, after which 

 it receives the torsion or twist that makes it into yarn. Before 



