Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1849-01-18
HEMP AND FLAX.


s4.. HEMP AND FLAX. .....
| Mr.. BILLINGS, the proprietor Of hemp
dressing establishment in Sangamon eoun.
ty, ILL.,, on late visit to n. Y. City, com.
municated the following statements to the
editor of the Farmer and Mechanic .
The Editor says: There is no country in
the world better adapted 10 the growth of
hemp and fax than ours, and no people
better qualified TO transform these staples
into Linens and Cordage respectively on
moderate terms; but our manufactures are
yet comparatively in their infancy, and do
not compete on equal terms with foreign
rivals. A most serious obstacle, hitherto.
TO the Hemp and Flax culture among us,
has been the imperfection of our machinery
and process for rotting, breaking and
dressing, which, in connection with the
relatively high prices of labor among US.
has nearly paralyzed all efforts in this d.
reclion. Yet it must be, it is, easy so to
improve our machinery and processes, as
to render this country the greatest and es-
sentially the cheapos, producer of Hemp,
Flax, Linens, Duck, Cordage, &c, in the
world. - Valley Farmer.
His Hemp dressing establishment is To-
Gated near Springfield, ILL.,, and is now
boiling, breaking and dressing about three
fourths Of ton of Hemp per day. The
company grows 500 acres Of Hemp itself
which yields from 600 to 1000 pounds of
dressed Hemp 10 the acre. The specimen
at the late Fair is from tract that yielded
1000 pounds to the acre, and is of admira-
bic quality. The company hayea contract
with the Government for 300 tons of this
Hemp at large price, repeated expert
ments having proved it at least 25 per cent
superior in strength and endurance to the
best Russia Hemp. In Mr.. Billings pro-
cess, the Hemp is rotted by the escape
steam of the engine which propcls the ma
chinery, and is prepared for breaking in
three or four days. Ofcourse, the color is
uniform, the fibre unbrol.en, and its strength
uninjured by the process of rotting. There
are three other hemp dressing establish,
monts near Springfield, all using the ma
chncry of Mr.. B.
The Flax dressing works based on Mr..
Billings patent are located near Schenec,
tady, in this State, and now turn out some
400 pounds of dressed Flax per day, at
a cost Of something less than So per cwt.
The saving of the fibre by this process is
estimated at 90 per cent.--tho amount of
tow moi exceeding 10 per cent. The rot.
ting 10y steam) requires three days, and
the color of the Fax is of course remarka.
bly, bright and uniform. The fibre, being
saved the exposure to the alternate heat,
cold, damp, &c. Of the dew rottng pro-
cess, could not fail to be superior. The
Flax dressed by this process is in quite de-
mand at ii cents per h., and We see no
reason why it may not be produced in any
quantity at cents, whenever sufficient
capital shah have been embarked in the
business under the guidance of capacity
and experience. The Flax may be spur
aad wove by machinery; and we trust the
day is not distant when Flax grown anC
manufactured in this country shall fully
equal its crop of Cotton.
A Few MoRE LEFr--The Razor stroI
man has been in Pittsburg, delivering stree
lectures on Temperance. The Post says