508 Bcport on the Trials of Implements at Oxford. 
on the stone spindle. The bedstones arc firmly secured in cast-iron coned 
frames of great strenj^tli, and fitted with the necessary adjustment screws. 
From the solidity of all the parts, and the truth of the workmanship, these 
mills work quietly, and make a very fine sample, a point of great importance. 
Attached to the mill is a crane, which is found absolutely necessary, in order 
to take up the stones. The Judges saw the machinery in operation, and were 
highly satisfied with the quality of the work, and accordingly awarded the 
money, 101., placed at their disposal, after having seen the nature and quan- 
tity of work in a given time, particulars of which will be gathered from the 
Table. 
The cultivation of flax in England is once again occupying attention, whilst 
in Ireland linen is the staple manufacture, and employs a large portion of the 
industrial population of the North. It is agreed on all sides that the croj) is 
easily grown, allo^^•s of a considerable range of soil and climate, and, wherever a 
market exists, pays well. Whatever the practice in Ireland as to home manu- 
facture, we are certain that in this country it will not answer ; and that, 
except a demand exists for the crop as it grows, it cannot be cultivated. The 
high price of labour necessitates its most economical application, which can 
only be done by the use of machinery on a large scale. The sum of 10?. was 
placed at the disposal of the Judges, and this they awarded to John Eliot 
Hodgkin of West Derby, whose machinery was much admired, and merits a 
short description ; his only competitor being Messrs. Dening and Co. of Chard, 
Avhose breaker was of a very simple description — viz., a frame carrying two 
wooden rollers fluted with iron, driven by fly-wheel and handle. The straw 
is held by one workman and forwarded through the rollers as required, Avhilst 
the other turns the handle of fly-wheel, and by making half-a-turn and rever- 
sing, a rubbing action is given to the rollers, which to some extent broke the 
■wood, but did not remove it to any degree. The work was very inferior to 
that i)y Mr. Hodgkin's machines. Two hand and four power breakers were 
exliibited by the latter. 
No. 7202, to which the prize of 4?. was aw-arded, is priced at 9Z. 9s. in the 
Catalogue, invented by Edward Brasier, and improved by the exhibitor; con- 
sists of a central fluted roller, surrounded by three smaller rollers, which 
revolve by friction from the central roller, and are held down in place by 
springs. The motion is afi'ected by a double ratchet, w-hich gives recijirocating 
motion, rubbing the flax backwards and forwards, or else passing it through, at 
the will of the attendant. The ratio between backward and forward stroke 
can be altered by an adjustible cam. The rollers are fluted out of solid metal, 
and the pressure on the flax is regulated by indiarubber springs. The feed is 
16 inches wide ; the action is perfect, not only in consequence of the breaking 
of the shive or -woody matter, but because a large proportion is actually seim- 
rated and falls down to the ground, leaving very little to be removed by the 
scutching blades. A gentle blow from the latter completes the process, and 
the waste arising from tow is reduced to a minimum. It is difficult to over- 
estimate the importance of good breaking, as the foundation of economical 
results. 
Section XIII. — Flax Breaking Machines. 
Awards. 
7199. John Eliot Hodgkin 
7202. John Eliot Hodgkin 
£6* 
4t 
* For steam or horse power. 
t For hand power. 
