New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-15
Frax-Its Culture and Manufacture.

10 the Editors IF the Tribune:
GENTLEMEN: l have read with considerable
interest in a recent number of your paper, your
remarks on the subject Of Linen Manufactures
and the new improvements that seem to be cre-
ating so much interest in Europe.
That we are on the eve of a great revelation in
Commerce and Manufactures, growing out Of
substitution of Linen for Cotton, there can be no
question. Raw Cotton is now worth ID l5c. per
b, while Linen filler can be procured for less than
one third this price, especially in those districts
where Flax is grown for the seed only, the lint
being thrown away as worthless, or at least not
worth the expense and trouble Of preparing for
market in the usual way. In those districts Flax
can be procured in the unrotted state-the very
condition required for producing fine Linen at the
least cost-for about two cents per b. Then,
by the use of machinery somewhat similar to that
which | am now using successfully with unrotted
Hemp, IN the manufacture of Kysnzed Cordage,
Flax can be broken out for less than two cents
per h. more, producing cleaned, unrotted Flax
for less than four cents per b. Then, by my pro-
cess and machinery, it can be refined and rem
dered white and soft capable of being spun into
the finest yarns for less than two cents more, be-
ing then in the condition which you so aptly term
Flax Cotton" This can be spun for about the
sum required for Cotton, thus reducing the price
of Linen yarns far below that Of Cotton. From
this time forward, you proceed in the manufac-
ture of fabrics, the expense is about equal, the
recent Improvements in pOwer-lOoms for Linen
having entirely removed all the difficulties which
were experienced in this branch of manufacture
some time ago, and from the great purity and
whiteness of the Linen fabric by the new pro-
cess, the bleaching is rendered quite as simple
and cheap process as with Cotton. By the new
process we are enabled TO produce Linen of
much finer quality than heretofore. 1t was com.
mon in Ireland, when Hemp was low and Flax
high to use the American dew -rotted Hemp as a
substitute for Fax, but it could not be run to fine
numbers-rarely finer than sos. 1t can, however
by the new process, be easily as fine as 100
| leaS to the pound. have produced yarns much
finer in a small way from Hemp, both rotted and
! unrotted, though the latter is preferred.
/ / observe that the London press seem delighted
! with the prospect of English independence of
American Cotton growers. 1t is very true that
England may not much longer be obliged to i'm.
/ port raw Cotton from the United States, bat she
will hardly like In the place Of it, to import man.
/ uJdctured goods, as she must do ere long Flax
cannot be transported far in the unrotted state in
/ the straw, and farmers will not readily establish
factories upon their plantations for the purpose of
/ producing " Flax Cotton for expectation. They
will clt it, take OFT the seed, (which paws for the
CROP and haul it a few miles to a Flax mill or
Linen factory, where they will sell il at a moder-
ate price. When a manufacturer once begins 10
manufacture Flax, if he is wise he will 90 through
with It, and turn it off in the shape of either warns
/ or fabrics. Growing Flax for the seed alone is
considered In many parts Of the Western States
/ profitable branch OF husbandry. What the far.
Iner gets, then, for the straw or lint now thrown
away, be considers SO much clear gain. Itispro.
/ posed IN Ireland to pay twelve pounds sterling
/ per acre Tor Flax straw, leaving the farmer the
seedi and who shall say that we cannot compete
successfully with Ireland in manufacturing Lin.
en-, when we can purchase quite as good and quite
as much Flax for less than one-quarter of the
money!
presume may be allowed to remark however
/ li1tie The pubic may care about it, that made
/ the discovery and inventions now claimed on the
other SIDE OF the Atlantic, in ls45, snd in the
same year l think you stated that lad disco,
I cry OF Invention by which It WAS expected that
Linen could be procured. as cbesp ss Cotro.
/ goods and that had gone TO Europe on business
connected with it. IL is true visited FngIs,d
/ Scotland and ireland, not however 70 oommuni.
cate It 10 others, though did comnupies,s il -
Liverpool merchant. After making arrange.
ments tired OF waiting upon others few weeks
ago 70 Oring out my invention, and tue papers had
so announced heard OF these EuroDean lis
couenes OF similar hind. Nv caveat was 6Ied
IN The L. 5. Patent Office early in ls4c for de
man portion, but other things have since been in
Vented, and measures have now been taken -
secure seres OF patents, all bearing upon and
connected with the same subject
As you will see by the advertisement send
Tor s your paper am now prepared to build Linen
Respectfully yours, o. S. LEAYIFr