The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-11-27

r-I The experiments WHICH nave ooen 0i''
: still are making, to find substitute for cottor
in flax, are so important TO the planting interest
as to make every step in the investigation mat
ter of concern. From the Albany CuAipator VIZ
: take the following articls
FLAx-CoTToH AND LINES.-There appears to
be good reason for believing that the discoveries
and experiments of CIaussen and others, in re-
gard to the spinning and manufacture OF flax by
machinery, will result in important improve
ments. Fabrics have already been produced in
England from cotton prepared by M. Clausssl's
process, specimens Of which, and the cotton in
various States, have been sent to this country.
An editorial article in the New York Tribune,
speaking OF these articles, says:
"The simply dressed fibre is as clean, as fine,
as soft, as strong, easily spun as any Sea Is
land cotton, and is said TO cost nine farthings
(less than five cents) per pound in England
That it would produce fabric every way equal
to the best bleached shirtngs or sheetings, we
have no doubt" In relation to the flax cotton
fabrics, it is said" they are at once elegant
and serviceable, especially pantaloon stuff
closely resembling satinet." And of the speci-
mems of the dyed flax cotton, it is said they are
perfect, proving the capacity OF this staple to
take the most delicate tints as well as the most
vivid colors"
1t should be here stated that the prepared
flax possesses decided telling properties, aud
may be formed into fabrics in combination with
wool Specimens of these fabrics, consisting OF
flannel and broadcloth, of various colors, and
said to possess remarkable strength and beauty
have been exhibited by Mr.. Claussen at London.
Mr.. NJ b. Bateham, of the Ohio CuAiuator
writes from London that M. Claussen has dis
posed of his right to use his process in the Uni
ted States, and that arrangements are in progress
for the production of the flax cotton here. Mr.
b. suggests that farmers who are growg flax
for seed, should save the straw, after the seed
is threshed out, in anticipation OF its becoming
valuable. He states that the machinery which
NJ. Claussen used for reducing the straw to a
suitable condition for market, is very simple,
consisting merely of series of iron rollers, pro-
PEELED by horse or other power, which so crush
and break the woody portions of the straw,
that by shaking, or scutching" it can be
mostly separated from the fibre, and is made
ready for the chemical process which prepares it
for spinning.
While the experiments above alluded to have
been going on abroad, others of not less inter-
esting nature have been made in our own coun-
try DR.. O. S. Leavitt, of Maysville, KY, has
invented process for spinning unrotted flax
and hemp by machinery. BY this process he
states that linen fine enough for the best shirt
| linen, can be produced from the unrOtted hemp,
while the unrotted flax will be run to the very
finest numbers"
| 1t is not designed by this process to bring flax
and hemp into condition resembling cotton,
but to preserve the peculiar qualities of those
articles in the fabrics produced from them.
The inventor is sanguine in the belief that
4" linen can be produced as cheap as cotton
goods of the same tineness when raw cotton is
not less than seven cents per pound" lie says
"rhere can be no doubt but, in Claussen's
process, a valuable substitute for cotton can be
produced from fax, and these two F ocesses rem
der all the flax-growing world Independent OF
the cotton growing. By neither process is flax
wanted in its rotted stgte, but in the very con.
d,tion most convenient for the farmer, and ir
which he can produce the greatest quantity"
DR.. l.. states that a charter has been obtained
from the legislature of Kentucky, for the incor
poration of the May Linen Company, ant
that the practicabiity of his process is about t.
be tested on large scale.
The following is a summary of the principa
points claimed to have been gained by Dr. L.
: invention.
/. The use of unrotted hemp and flax, bein.
moved or Graded, and not pulled, thus win.
the great expense of rotting and breaking.
q The ability to run the coarsest and mos
: rigid hemp or fax, to the finest numbers.
8. The saving of the heretofore expensive
0 heckling process using machine which remove
/ from the shives the Jumps and short fibres a
II they pass through.
e a. Making not more than half the tow usual.
!, g. Securing uniformity and certainty of ful
y strength of fibre, and greater consequent dura
O bility of the fabrics.
e g. Rendering the bleaching remarkably chea
o and simple, where it is now difficult
Z. Doing away entirely with the oifensiv
u smell and unwholesome air, now source G
n such universal complaint in flax mills.