The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1851-09-17

the ordinary nax-drcsscr commcnccs--at
that OF the flax in the straw; and by pro-
ducing larger quantity at q greatly re-
duced cost, and without incurring any
waste in the shape Of refuse tow, he Oh
tains an article capable of being spun Oh
the ordinary cotton machinery, and of be-
ing sold at a price which, while it is less
than that of the long fax prepared for the
linen manufacturer, is also lower than that
at which cotton Itself can be profitably
grown, either by free or slave labor, in
the great cotton-p producing district of the
United States.
4! The flax cotton is shown dyed in vari-
GUS colors Immediately after carding it is
also shown dyed in various colors in yarns
spun entirely from fax, or mixed with va
rious proportions of cotton; and in the
case Of the mixed warns no difference OF
color OF the two substances is at all per-
ceptible--lhus showing that the flax SO
prepared is capable of taking the same
opaque dye as ordinary cotton. Some
samples Of yarn prepared as. silk are also
| displayed, and, as illustrating the great
command which the inventor has over this
fiber, these are dyed in colors possessing
all the glossiness and brillancy of the most
beautiful silk. Several pieces Of calico
formed entirely of flax, and others formed
of mixture of fax and cotton, bIeached
and dressed as ordinary cloth, are exhibi-
ted.
Continuing his inspection, the visitor
! Will next see specimens of yarn formed
of mixture of wool and ilax-ootCOn.-
Hitherto it had been found impossible 10
| fet Or mill yarns, or fabrics formed of a
mixture Of flax and wool, or even to pro-
duce yarn formed of these two substan-
ces, as the flax naturally does not possess
the same felting properties as wool. AS
we stately however, at the commencement,
the flax, and even cotton itself, undergccs
considerable changein its structure when
prepared by the Chevalier Claussen, and
the former is found to felt equally well as
wool. Indeed, some specimens of felt
formed of rabbits hair and flax are shown.
as Illustrative Of the great feItlng proper
ties which the ''cottonized' flax iibers pos
sesses. In addition 10 The mixed wool and
ilax-cotton yarns shown, there are dis
played several pieces of excellent flannel
formed of those yarns, and pieces Of broad
cloth, grey and dyed, of remarkably clean,
bright, and pure color, and of great strength
and durability. The great advantages
which this discovery places in The way Of
the woolen manufacturer are too obvious
to require comment. A substance equal
in every respect to wool, and admirably
adapted for mixing with it, is given TO the
manufacturer at price something less
than one-fourth of that of his ordinary
staple-thus enabling him to produce a
mixed woolen fabric at propor.ionally
lower rate than he is able 10 Manufacture
his woolen goods; while, at the samotime,
the purchaser will be benefited, by OBJ
tanning at greatly reduced price, an arti-
Gle equally durable with one formed en-
Ftirely Of the more expensive fabric.
The last series Of specimens shown are
those which illustrate the applicability of
the hax-cotton TO the purposes of the Lei
cester and Nottingham hoisery trade
The articles shown consist OF stockings,
drawers, Ind oiEer ordinary articles Of
hosiery, and both in colors and in texture
they are every thing they can be desired.
To those interested in the continued and
increased prosperity of our great agricul-
tural and manufacturing industries, we
would recommend an attentive examina-
ton of the articles shown by the Cheva-
lier Claussen. The advantages attendant
upon flax culture are points from which
we have abstained in our present remarks !;
but we would cordially commend 10 the
notice of agricuturists the desirableness of
Immediately putting themselves in posi-
tion to supply the extensive demand which
will no doubt shortly arise for flax, and to
obtain possession of a market for the sup
ply of which our energetic transatlantic
cousins appear to be already making great
preparations.