FROM FLAX PREPARED BY HIS PATENTS. 227 



our heavy losses through shipping houses disgusted men with 

 the trade, and I left for London in 1842 — against the advice 

 of all my friends in Ireland, to fight the battle of life, which 

 is no easy task for an Irishman in London, unless he has 

 capital at command — for there is no mistake as to Cockney 

 prejudice against him. 



The white yarns noticed below are from Gregeen and 

 Dickson's new patents, protected December 1857, and sealed 

 December 1858.* 



As my object is to show how linens can be made to super- 

 sede cotton-shirtings, I have looked over my old scale of 

 making them, in order that those interested may see the 

 advantage which I assert can be gained by my patent process 

 in preparing Flax for spinning by machinery, and weaving 

 by power-looms. 



Cost price of 4-4tiis strong linens by hand-loom weaving : — 



9 00 ~ 30 hanks warp, 25 tow, 3|d.. per hank £0 8 9 

 32 hanks weft, 30 tovv, 3d. per hank 8 



"J- . £0 16 9 



Boiling 13 



Warping and winding . - 10| 

 Hand-weaving .... 070 



£1 5 10i 



Or 6d. per yard, Brown, 

 9 00 Cost price by power-loom of Dickson's patent white 

 Flax- yarn : — 



62 hanks yarn .... 16 9 

 Warping and winding . 10\ 

 Power-loom weaving ..030 



£1 n 



Or 4|d. per yard, White. 



Dr. Cregeen's only claim on J. II. Dickson's patented discoveries arises from 

 his being- the assistant in the liquid process of making oil into a softening and 

 bleaching liquid, by the use of ammonia. 



