528 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



showed the elasticity occasioned by the different modes of sewing, 

 namely : Hand stitching, Grover & Baker's, and the shuttle stitch. 

 The shuttle stitch is the most economical. The best sewing 

 done, whether by hand or by machine, uses the largest quantity 

 of thread. In a manufacturing establishment, (the proprietor of 

 which I am well acquainted with,) where they use cotton yarn 

 instead of thread, a saving of $2500 is effected per annum. 



Mr. Bartlett. — Do you consider that each machine produces a 

 perfect stitch of its kind ? 



Mr. Lansey. — Yes, sir. I think that for a certain class of work 

 the shuttle stitch is the most economical, but not for family use. 

 The additional quantity of thread used in the Grover & Baker 

 machine over the shuttle is about one-fifth. The shuttle stitch 

 requires to be fastened at the end. 



The Chairman. — When you were in business which of those 

 sewing machines did you prefer for shirt making ? 



Mr. Lansey. — I used the Wheeler and Wilson one for four 

 years. 



Mr. Dibben. — The needle in the best machines is imperfect. 

 In stiff or starchy goods, the needle cuts the cloth in such a man- 

 ner as to be greatly injurious. Notwithstanding the fact that 

 manufacturers get large prices for needles, they are still imper- 

 fect. They are sold for fifty cents a dozen. 



Mr. Babcock said, in relation to the hygienic effect of the sew- 

 ing machine, that if the amount of power was taken into consid- 

 eration it would be found that the Wheeler and Wilson machine 

 required the least. To drive a machine at the rate of six hun- 

 dred stitches a minute, the sixtieth part of a horse power is re- 

 quired. This may seem small, but it is equivalent to a weight of 

 500 lbs. falling a foot a minute. Sewing machines are detrimen- 

 tal to the health of the operators. An air engine with sufficient 

 power to drive a sewing machine, would be too expensive. Elec- 

 tricity is not to be relied on. Springs have been suggested, but 

 to have a spring of sufficient weight to drive a sewing machine 

 five hours, would require 15 cwt. of steel. A man exerting all 

 his power could drive probi^bly ten or twelve machines. 



Mr. Hithcock stated that Mr. Ericsson had invented a plan to 

 drive machines by the use of compressed air. 



The Chairman wa^ of the opinion that before the work was 

 declared unhealthy, the subject should be thoroughly discussed. 

 He thought it conducive to strength. 



