.* 
copper, aluminium and iron attached to the drum where it 
comes in contact with the juice of the leaves. The general 
principle of the machine is similar to the *Gratte" in use 
in Mauritius, and the •Raspador* of Yucatan. The leaves, 
as in these machines, are presented endwise, and are clean¬ 
ed by the beaters attached to the drum. About one half of 
each leaf is cleaned at one time. It is necessary to change 
the position of the leave before the other half can be 
* 
cleaned. There is, however, no reverse action, and in this 
respect the Weicher machine possesses an advantage over 
other machines of the same type* 
The Feed Table. The feed table consists of an end¬ 
less band composed of flat iron laths fastened across two 
iron chains. The band is fitted with iron clamps for hold¬ 
ing the leaves in position and presenting them to the 
beaters in such a position that at first about one half 
of their length is cleaned. After this the leaf is carried 
continuously back on the underside of the band, and brought 
out so that it can be seized by the operator and its posi- 
* 
tion changed. When it is next presented to the beaters, 
the uncleaned part is treated and the whole of the fibre 
is then carried out and removed from the machine. The feed 
& 
table is therefore automatic, and it will carry at one 
time 
