Thomas's Massachusetts spy, or, Worcester gazette. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1811-1821, 1821-05-16

ployment. On I5.Ha<I population, vicinity
to the best markets, cur fertile soil, hocks and
herds, our art md manufactures. the vixour
Of our institutions, tie irgenuity, concord and
energy Of The people viii, with a divine bles-
sing, sustain Us under any trials, which. in
common wittlsour neighbours, we NAV be re-
quired to endure. We know that the world
is open before US, and that we can share in
any contingent advantages, which foreign mar
kets may present, and that no export duty or
burden can be imposed on any of our produc-
lions. By being required to support ourselves
from our internal resources, we shall cult
vate the republican virtues of frugality, tenn
perance and honest labour. Our greatest evil
is. that we cannot exert our powers of inn
provement, and sufficiently encourage that
enterprise, for which this state has long been
distinguished. The pressure of the times falls
heaviest on our least opulent citizens, and up
on families recently established. These evils
are greatly to be lamented, and they demand.
wise consels and concert of views, to pro-
vide every redress of which they are suscepti-
BILE.
There is obviouslyno method, by which the
interests Of the people of this State can be
advanced, but by promoting measures tending
to increase, diversity and improve the pro-
ductive powers of human industry. have
no doubt that great benefit has already re-
suited from the establishment Of Agricultural
Societies; but as they have been wholly UNI
assisted by pubhck support, their efforts have
been confined to promoting emulation, and to
disseminating information and in these par
ticulars, it is just to acknowledge, that the
publications in this and TIE neighbouring
states, both on scientifck and practical sub
iects, have been highly useful. The stock
Of useful animals is improving, an increasing
attention to the multiplication and manage
ment of sheep, is apparent, and improved
modes of culture have, in some places, been
introduced; but though there is generally no
defect of diligence, it is certain that much of
our labour is not directed to the best advan--
tage, owing to a want of the latest improve
ments in agricultural implements and iabour-
saving machines.
During the last year, obtained information
of recent discoveries, which are now in active
operation, both in England and in France,
which recommend to your particular atten-
ton. Machines have been invented in both
countries, by which hemp and flax, as taken.
from the field, can be prepared for manufac-
turing even. the finest fabricks, and by which
the labour,. expense and loss, occasioned by
water-steeping, or dew-rotting, and the chem
ical process Of bleaching, are wholly super
seeded. The French machines may, it is
said, be easily constructed, are not expensive.
and are even of small bulk. The process by
which silky fax. is obtained, fit for making
the finest linen or lace, is represented to be
extremely simple, and from testimony taken
before a committee of the English House of
Commons, in the year 1917, and from their
De- Al II.
quantity of land devoted to the culture of
fax, in Great-Britain, and Ireland, the in
creased quantity of a superiour kind of fibre,
which might be obtained by diminishing the
waste, would, if the machines were in gener-
al use, furnish annual employment to more
than eight hundred thousand persons.
This discovery, by converting an unproft-
able into an advantageous object of husban-
dry, appears to be perfectly adapted to our
climate, state of society, and to the supply of
our present wants. We can no longer supply
Europe with articles of food-we need little
or no instruction in the best mode of raising
flax this is known to be the least perishable
Of our productions: the supply can, therefore,
be readily accommodated to the demand,
thereby preserving a steady price, while it
may in single season be rendered as album
~ all the linen manufactures which we con-
sumo. Flax is adapted to great variety of
fabricks, from cordage and sail-clotb for ships.
to paper and fine linen for domestick use
All the necessary arts for conducting these
manufactures. are at present understood and
practised. The coarser fabricks can be man
ufactured by machinery, which has already
been introduced, and is now in successful op-
Grafton in the states of New-York, New-Jer-
sey, and Pennsylvania. Household industry
would find ample employment in the different
kinds Of finer fabricks. From the exhibitions
at our agricultural meetings, am certain that
many of our females possess skill and inge-
nuity which enables them to rival the finest
looms of Europe. With an increase of the ma
terial, this skill would rapidly disseminate. In
few years we may fabricate every kind of ar
Gle which we now consume afterwards we
may supply commerce with excellent articles
fol- exploration while for long time, and
perhaps forever, this addition TO our resource
es, would not interfere with the manufactures
Of cotton already established.
Although models of these machines have
not yet been introduced, and though precise
information will doubtless be detained from
us as long as possible, yet from the general
descriptions which have been given, have
no doubt, that if the ingenuity of our me-
chanicks could be strongly excited, they
would at once be initiated and probably inn
proved, SO that considerable impulse to the
industry Of this state, might be communicated
in single year.