Suaiua ARY OF A eni ON THE oni MACHINES GENERALLY. 1 N USE 
AT MAURITIUS ror CLEANING Arok Finng, px M. Reais 3 DE Cuazan, 
T oo al of. Machine. UE 
The machine generally in use in Mauritius for extraeting - fibre tid X 
the leaves of the green Aloe ARuróraa gigantea) " 
This gratte consists of a drum about 2 feet in 
foot wide. On the circumference of this are bolted 
2-inch L-shaped blades pe tothe axis. 'lhese blades are eee : 
of iron, but steel is preferred. They are firmly fixed to the y 
means of bolts and nuts. Pho dram | is mounted upon an axle aud nb 
to revolve with great rapidity close to and against the front or edge « ofa. 
feed table (servante). ‘The feed RAO is adjusted, b y means of serew 
as to p roach o revolving drum within a distance of quarter inch to- 
. It is composed of a stout brass plate and der : 
; of a bolt. yr ) a 
and forw. ida 
'The most diffieult task in connexion with working dis dae is | d 
exact adjustment of this feed table. 1t is most necessary that the blades 
the edge of the feed table are so adjusted that vd 
adjusted it is important to maintain the feed table in its proper. 1 
displacement during the iei of working. . 
700 rev lutions per 
revolutions 
done at 700 revolutions per minute. 
- Method of Working. 
` The Aloe leaf is nent s first along the feed table, and is 
and the d It is thorough! 
grattes to about th 
is removed and the fibre is tenes 
. . with a wooden guard. This ents the 
«pe coss e from being caught by th ‘the beaters. zs Sty dd 
: Mounting ‘the Machines. 
_ The acides. are E osi: mounted in pairs, 
axle, and driven by: steam or water po 
