OF HIS PATENTED MACHINES. 315 



because no machinery, or process, has been found to discharge 

 the stiff gums and resinous matter. The discovery of Dickson's 

 patent process, and the improvement effected by it on the 

 quality of these fibres, is consequently invaluable. 



Another Indian authority, Dr. Hunter, says very truly, that 

 the fibre of all plants would be better if prepared without 

 water-steeping. 



The patented machines and processes of Dickson's have come 

 opportunely to meet this important want ; they are applicable 

 to all the above-named fibres, and also the European Flax and 

 hemp direct from the field, without any water-steeping what- 

 ever ; thus effecting a great economy as well as improvement 

 of quality. 



Dr. Koyle says (p. 132) : " I gave Mr. Dickson several of 

 these fibres, and he returned them to me in a few days in a 

 state in which I was scarcely able to recognise them, from 

 their soft and silky hair-like appearance ; and I have little 

 doubt, but that the progress of experiment will show that this 

 change can be effected at a comparatively small cost." 



On all the ordinary Flax and hemp of Europe, the patented 

 processes will produce twenty per cent more fibre from the same 

 weight of plants, than if the old process of water-retting was 

 resorted to in preparing it. Further, it will improve the fine- 

 ness of the Flax, and preserve its strength at least twenty 

 per cent. 



As regards tropical plants, several of them have been found 

 suitable as a substitute for, and also to mix with, silk, cotton, 

 wool, and alpaca in yarns, having the property of receiving 

 the dye in the same vat with the wool ; a most important 

 advantage, now for the first time secured by these patented 

 processes, and proved by Mr. Sykes, a dyer in Leeds, at the 

 meeting of the British Association in 1858, when a carpet 

 manufacturer, named Wilkinson, avowed it could not be done. 

 See Leeds Mercury, and other intelligent newspapers, on the 

 subject. 



