398 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[October, 
THE ROBBINS 
FAMILY WASHER*BLEACHER 
AGENTS WANTED. 
In bringing this article before the public it becomes nec¬ 
essary to take into consideration 
THE ART OF CLEANSING FABRICS, 
which is jet so imperfectly understood. Having had a life¬ 
long experience in the laundry business, in connection with 
first-class hotels, public laundries, asylums, hospitals, etc., 
we know whereof we speak. The numerous devices of fric¬ 
tion rollers, pounders, squeezers, mashers, agitators, steam 
wash boilers, etc , have all failed in one or more of the three 
essential points, namely, the saving of labor, wear and tear 
of clothes, or in perfectly extracting the dirt and discolora¬ 
tion, all of which are accomplished by the ROBBINS FAM¬ 
ILY WASHER AND BLEACHER. 
WHAT IS IT REMOVES THE DIRT? 
You may ask washerwomen and housekeepers, and your 
answer from nine out of ten will be, “ Plenty of elbow 
grease,” or in other words, laborious rubbing upon the 
washboard. And such is the case, for you first rub soap 
upon the cloth, and then you have to rub it in to make the 
dirt soluble : but does that remove it? No , to do that you 
must dip it in the water, and rub repeatedly to force water 
through the fabric again and again. That is what removes 
dirt after having been softened by the chemical action of 
the soap. 
i he way in which this could be mo3t economically accom¬ 
plished has been developed in the FAMILY WASHER AND 
BLEACHER, which embodies all the above points. 
It is harder work to operate these mechanical devices than 
to use the common washboard. They are constantly getting 
out of order, and wear out in a short time, they wear out 
clothes faster than the rubbing board, because the friction 
is a hundred per cent greater. 
Mechanical devices take the entire time of a person during 
the whole wash,and will not remove streaks from clothes. 
With the Washer and Bleacher, washing,baking,and house- 
W' >rk are contemporaneous operations, the fire doing the 
washing and baking, while the housewife does her house¬ 
work. 
All who have tried steam wash-boilers, will unite with us 
in saying: They do not give satisfaction. 
WE WILL EXPLAIN WHY. 
As stated water force is what removes dirt from the fibres 
of the cloth. A large body of water is required to hold in 
solution a comparatively small amount of dirt. Steam 
wash boilers can not accomplish the desired result. They 
do not contain enough water to hold the dirt in solution 
While steam will not remove dirt, it is a powerful agent to 
assist in cleansing, becauses it expands the fabric, and causes 
the discharge of dirt and impurities from the cloth that can 
not be forced out in any other way unless by the application 
of heat and force of water combined. 
In order to remove the dirt from steamed clothes, they 
must be washed out in water at nearly boiling heat, for if 
you use water at a lower temperature, it causes the fabric 
to contract, which “sets the dirt,” thus causing the clothes 
to turn yellow. An essential thing to be mentioned is the 
rotting of clothes by steam wash-boilers, because of the 
small quantity of water used. 
Everybody knows that a large quantity of soap dissolved 
in a small body of water must necessarily form an exceed 
ingly strong alkali, which, after the clothes are packed in 
the steam wash-boiler, is converted into steam, every mo¬ 
ment becoming more concentrated, until the clothes are re¬ 
moved. A few such washings, ana what is the result? Sim¬ 
ply this: Your clothes fall to pieces of their own weight, 
and you pronounce steam wash-boilers, as they are, a failure. 
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE WASHER AND BLEACHER 
embodies all the essential points. First, we have the de¬ 
sired heat, which expands the fabric, and causes it to dis 
charge the dirt. Second, we obtain a powerful suction be¬ 
neath the clothes, which produces a rapid downward current, 
or water-course through and through them, thereby remov¬ 
ing the dirt. Third, we use a large body of water, which 
holds the dirt in solution. Fourth, we use but a small 
quantity of soap. Fifth, the washing is done by water, and 
nut by steam. The process can not injure fabrics It 
cleanses thoroughly, rinsing the clothes being all that is re¬ 
quired to complete the operation. 
THE CAPACITY OF THE WASHER AND BLEACHER. 
There are three sizes: No. 1, the family size: No. H, suit¬ 
able for small hotels, restaurants, barber shops, boarding 
houses, etc.: No. 3, or steam-power washer, into which is 
conducted, through a %-lnch pipe, live steam from the steam 
boiler, from which is obtained the power for driving the 
water. This washer takes the place of machinery in places 
where steam power is used in the laundries. 
The washer is composed of metal, and can not get out of 
order. 
The family size weighs about five pounds, and is only 8 
inches long by 5 inches wide, and 1% inches deep. 
The discharge pipe is 13 inches high over that, and is 
inches in diameter. It throws water in a solid, unbroken 
stream at the rate of ten to twelve gallons per minute. It 
will work in any family boiler. It takes only three or four 
ounces of soap to ten or twelve gallons of water, and will 
wash bed and table linen, a boiler full in ten to fifteen min¬ 
utes. wearing apparel in from twenty to thirty minutes, and 
will remove streaks without rubbing , requires no previous 
preparation of the clothes, such as soaking over night. We 
take the clothes dry, and when the washer gets thoroughly 
at work, we fill the boiler as full as it will hold by gently 
pressing them down with a stick. We use no chemicals, 
only good soap and soft water. If the water is hard, it may 
be softened by a small piece of borax, which is harmless. 
For LACE CURTAINS the Washer is invaluable. It 
cleanses them as no other process can, and without the 
slightest danger of injury. 
The No. 2, or small hotel size, will do the work in a boiler 
four times the size of a common family boiler, and wash of 
average pieces from 1,500 to 2,000 per day; or it may be used 
in any smaller boiler. T hey will work in anything that has 
a flat bottom large enough for them to rest upon. 
For hospitals, this Washer is pronounced by the medical 
faculty invaluable, being the most powerful disinfecter 
known, leaving the fabric as pure as when new. By en¬ 
gineers, mechanics, and scientific men generally, it is pro¬ 
nounced one of the most wonderful discoveries in the prin¬ 
ciple of hydraulics or water-force ever brought to light. By 
bleachers and chemists it is said to be the most powerful 
method of removing dirt and vegetable matter from fabrics 
ever known. It is the greatest bleacher extant, and for that 
alone is worth ten times the price. 
THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE WASHER AND BLEACH¬ 
ER is this: We have five pounds of metal, which attains a 
much greater degree of heat than the water surrounding it; 
consequently the water underneath the Washer becomes 
hotter and more expansive than in any other part of the 
boiler, and is thereby thrown to the surface through the 
tube, thus tending to produce a vacuum underneath the 
Washer at the bottom of the boiler, into which the water is 
rapidly drawn. 
As it passes along the channels of the Washer, the curved 
and contracted throats of the same prevent its flowing back¬ 
ward, and being held in contact with the hot metal it be¬ 
comes hotter arid hotter, consequently more expansive and 
more forcible, until thrown to the surface, thus producing 
a powerful suction beneath the clothes, through which the 
water must pass in a rapid downward current, thereby ob¬ 
taining a water force which can not be obtained by any 
other method known in cleaning fabrics. Thus, we get a 
combination. First, we have the desired heat. Second, per¬ 
fect chemical action of the soap Third, force of water—all 
of which are required to thoroughly cleanse and purify any 
fabric. 
THE IMPROVED WASHER 
The improved Washer has a perfect fitting pipe, and is a 
combination of metals which does not become sticky or 
dirty. Incomes out of the boiler a6 bright as new 
A WORD ABOUT BLEACHING 
There are few professional bleachers in the United States. 
The word “ bleaching” implies the art of extracting vege¬ 
table or animal matter or discoloration from the various 
fibres which constitute all our different fabrics. This is 
done by a regular chemical process, consisting, first, of al¬ 
kaline boilings; second, immersions in solutions or chloride 
of lime; third, solutions of acids. After each process the 
goods receive-a thorough rinsing in clear water ; then, last 
of all processes, to thoroughly extract all Injurious matter, 
comes that of boiling in good soap and water. This leaves 
the goods pure and white as Bnow, ready to finish for the 
market. Now the question arises : Can those fabrics again 
absorb and fix all their natural discoloration? We answer 
no; impossible. Then why is it (asks the housewife) my 
clothes become yel ow and discolored? There are many 
reasons—poor soap, hard water, careless servants, not hav¬ 
ing strength to rub out the dirt yourselves, and not being 
able to use water by nand hot enough to keep the fabric ex¬ 
panded to the extent which is absolutely requisite to thor¬ 
oughly extract the airt or ” bleach the clothes.” Clothes 
should never be bleached but once, but thoroughly washed, 
and they will always be while. THE FAMILY WASHER 
AND BLEACHER will do it for you every time. 
THE INDUCEMENTS WE OFFER. 
We want a Local Agent in every town in the United 
States. We know from experience that reliable, energetic 
men can make money selling the Washer and Bleacher in 
any community. 
We want first-class men as GENERAL AGENTS; men 
capable of managing one or more counties. 
To such men we give a duly executed LICENSE. 
We furnish descriptive circulars for distribution among 
families. Also large posters for advertising in publicplaces. 
The retail price of NO. 1 WASHER is $3.50; NO. 2 WASH- 
ER, $5; NO. 3, OR POWER WASHER, $50, Special terms 
to agents for No. 8 Washer. 
TERMS TO GENERAL AGENTS. 
No. 1, $24 per dozen; No. 2, $36 per dozen. 
SAMPLE WASHERS. 
In States eaBt of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, also 
in Kansas and Nebraska, we will deliver at your nearest 
railway express office, CHARGES PREPAID: Sample No. 
1 Washer, $3.50; Sample No. 2 Washer, $5. We will deliver, 
prepaid, a No. 1 Washer in Dakota, at Bismarck or Yank¬ 
ton, for $3.50; in Wyoming, at Cheyenne, for $3.50; in 
Idaho, at Franklin City, for $4.50; in Colorado, at Den¬ 
ver or Pueblo, for $4; in New Mexico, at Santa Fe, for 
$5; in Arizona, at Prescott, for $8.50; in Utah, at Ogden, 
for $4; in Nevada, at Virginia City, for $5: in Louisiana, at 
New Orleans, for $3.50; In Arkansas, at Little Rock, for 
$3.50; in Texas, at Corsicana, for $4.50; at Texarkana, Den¬ 
ison, or Sherman, for $3.50. For the Pacific coast, we will 
deliver No. 1 at San Francisco, Sacramento, Marysville, or 
San Jose, for $4. Our reason for so doing is to induce 
people to investigate this matter, feeling assured that a 
trial will secure an agent for us. 
The great saving in time, labor, and material, and the ex¬ 
tremely low price of the Washer, bring it within the reach 
of all. It can not get out of order. It does the work rap¬ 
idly and well. These points commend it to every one. Send 
for a sample; try it; show it to your friends ; get their or¬ 
ders, and if you wish to secure a county or town, don’t de¬ 
lay, but let us hear from you at once. Remember the old 
maxim : “ First come first served.” 
In territory where there are no Agencies established, to 
persons desiring a Washer for their own use, we will deliv¬ 
er the same, CHARGES PREPAID, on receipt of price as 
stated above. You can readily determine when there is an 
Agency established, aB posters will be put up in conspicuous 
places, and circulars distributed. 
SPECIAL NOTICE. 
As to the reliability of this Company, we refer you to the 
notice in another column of the editor of this paper. Also 
to the MERCANTILE NATIONAL BANK of this City, or 
to any Express Company in New S ork. 
In ordering, write plainly your name, post-office, County, 
and State. Also the name of the express office to which you 
wish the Washer forwarded. 
Cash must accompany all orders. Remit by post-office 
order or registered letter, at our risk. We insure the safe 
delivery of all washers ordered as above. Money may also 
be sent by draft on New York. 
Address 
IIISSII/L M’F«. CO., 50 Barclay St., New York. 
AT ALL TIMES WHEN YOU ORDER OR WRITE, MENTION THIS PAPER. 
NATIONAL WIRE MATTRESS. 
This is the very BEST and most. 
DURABLE Spring Bed THAT 
MOISEY CAN BUY. Do not con¬ 
found it with any Woven Wire 
Mattress. The American Agri¬ 
culturist says: “We have tried 
the article made by the National 
Wire Mattress Co.,of New Britain, 
_ Conn., and find it lo be as nearly 
No Sagging or Rolling to the Center on this Bed. perfect ns need he.” 
Delivered to any R. R. Station in the U. S. or Canadas, free of charge, on receipt of $10.00. 
Address NATIONAL WIRE MATTRESS 00., New Britain, Conn. 
FELT CARPETINGS 20 to 45 cts. per yard. FELT 
CEILING for rooms in place of Plaster. FELT 
ROOFING and SIDING. For circular and Sample 
address C. J. FAY Camden, N. Jersey. 
A WONDERFULLY INTERESTING BOOK, 
ENTITLED 
THE SCHOOL GARDEN. 
BT DR. SCHWAB, DIRECTOR OR THE VIENNA MILITARY 
GYMNASIUM, ETO. 
From the German by Mrs. Horace Mann. 
50 cts. by mail. 5 copies $2, 12 copies $4. 
M. L. HOLBROOK. Publisher, 13 & 15 Lalght St., New York. 
$70 PER QUARTER OF 10 
WEEKS. 
$280 for Academical year, from September 9,1879, Books, 
etc., included, whole expense for young men and boys at 
S C. Shoktlidge’s Media (Pa.) Academy. Music the only 
extra. Highly recommended by Bayard Taylor, Hon. Fer¬ 
nando Wood, Judge Van Hoesen, Gen. C. H. T. Collis, Gov. 
Routt, Rev. Dr. Childs, etc. 10 teachers, all men and all 
graduates. Special attention to both advanced and back¬ 
ward pupils, and young boys. Both Individual and class In¬ 
struction. combining the advantages of private tutoring and 
school-room drill. Fine building, thoroughly heated, new 
gymnasium, excellent table. English Business, Scientific 
and Classical courses of study. Weekly Lectures, illus¬ 
trated by the best apparatus. For new illustrated circular 
of term commencing September 9th, address 
S WITHIN C. SHORTLIDGE, (Harvard Univer- 
versity A.M.), Media, Pa. 
Media has seven churches, and a temperance charter pro¬ 
hibiting the sale of intoxicating drinks. 
rpHU MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY, FOR 
1 PROMOTING AGRICULTURE, offer for sale 
choice young pigs of the following strains: 
LARGE YORKSHIRE. BERKSHIRE, 
MIDDLE YORKSHIRE, ESSEX, 
SMALL YORKSHIRE. 
The Sires and Dams of the pigs now offered were personally 
selected in England from the best strains of prize winners, 
and will be sold very low for the quality. Address 
E. F. BOWDITCH, Framingham, Mass. 
