A VISIT TO THE BRITISH NEEDLE MILLS. 
510 
they are deemed finished, especially if, in accordance with our previous 
supposition, they are of the finer quality. 
C B 30 
u 
(A the wire for two needles ; B the same, pointed at one end ; C pointed at 
both ends ; D the stamped impress for the eyes ; E the eyes pierced ; F the 
needles just before separation ; d, e, /, enlargements of D, E, F. 
The needles are by this time pointed and eyed, but before they can 
be brought to that beautifully finished state with which we are all 
familiar, it is necessary that they should be "hardened" and " tempered" 
by a peculiar application of heat. After being examined to see that the 
preceding processes are fitly performed, the needles are taken to a shop 
provided with ovens or furnaces. They are laid down on a bench, and 
by means of two trowel-like instruments spread in regular thick layers 
on narrow plates or trays of iron. In this way they are placed on a shelf 
or grating in a heated furnace. When the proper degree of heating has 
been effected, the door is opened and the needles are shifted from the 
iron tray into a sort of colander or perforated vessel immersed in water 
or oil. When they are quite cooled the hardening is completed, and if 
it has been effected in water the needles are simply dried ; but if in oil, 
they are well washed in an alkaline liquor to free them from the oil. 
