Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-08-09
From the Ohio Cultivator.
Flax Cotton and NJ. ClauSSCn'S Invention,
PROSPECTIVE ADVANTAGES TO AMERICAN
FARMERS.
LoSpoN. June 1s. 1851.

investigation during my visit here, is the one
named at the head of this letter; and hence
as soon as ! had completed general view oil
the crystal palace and its contents, sought
after the Chcvalicr CIAUssEN aud his very
interesting display of articles illustrating his
invention. | found him surrounded with
specimens of flaX and fax cotton, in all sta
gcs Of its preparation and manufacture, ana
himself very free to communicate the fullest
information | could desire on the subject;
and as | am inclined to believe this iuiormn-
tion will he found of much practical value to
the farmers of Ohio, and our Western coun-
try generally, will devote this letter TO fax
cOtion, instead Of the Worlds Fair in general.
In the Ohio Cutivator of May 18th, may
be found partial description of NJ. Claus
sens invention, for which he has obtained
letters patent in most countries of Europe,
and in the United States. lie has recently
disposed of the right for the United Stntes, 10
a couple OF gentlemen OF this city, onenpl
them an American, who inform me that IN
are now ef1cting arrangements for the spec
dy introduction of It's use in our country,
aud they are determined to prevent any mo-
nopoly of its advantages 10y spectators, by
granting rights on moderate terms TO per-
sons or companies in numerous different
places. Particulars, as soon as determined,
will be announced in the Cultivator aud 9TH
er papers.
In the mean time would suggest TO such
farmers rs are now growing flax for the seed,
that il may be well for them TO save the
straw in dry and secure place, after the
seed is thrashcd out rs it will in all probabi-
lity be worth from s. to 81 per ton, or more
as soon rs the simple machinery can be in
roduced which is required for reducing the
fibre from the dry straw to n snitable condi-
ton for market, which we are assured shall
be introduced during the coming autumn or
winter.
This machinery is ouly q series of iron
rollers, propelled by horse or other power
like thrasling machine, which crush and
break up the woody portion of the straw, so
that by shaking or sculching, it can be most
~ separated from the fibre; although by this
dry process the fibre is left in coarse aud
half cleaned state. IL is now ready 10 lu-
dergo the chemical process and manipua-
tons described in NJ. Clausscn's pamphlet,
| (See o. Cult, May I5,) aud is also in fit
! state for putting in bales, like cotton or hemp,
! for market, and is worth from $50 to $50, or
more, per ton, as prices now range, TO per-
sohs who may engage in the business Of COM
pleting the process and shipping the cotton
/ TO the manufacturers.
The value of this material TO the mnnufac-
turer, will of course vary slightly according
TO the price of cotton, and may be supposed
TO bring about the same price, in its finish
ed state, as fair qualities of cotton, say from
10 to IL l-2 cents per pound in New York,
or from IL l-2 to III cents in England.
In estimating the cost of producing flax
cotton in England, Nj. Claussen puts the
value of the flax straw at 500 per ton; or of
the rough fibre MS cleaned by the grower at
! about $50 per ton then the cost Of materials
| and labor for completing the process, at
about S25 per ton of rough, or $50 per ton
of finished fibre, making the total cost to the
manufacturer about Sl75 per ton-which he
is sure is liberal estmate-and this is only
about one-half the ruling price Of cotton for
the past year.
In regard to the value of the flax cotton
for manufacturing purposes, all the expert
mcnts that have as yet been tried, seem de- |
cidedly in its favor, whether used alone or
mixed with cotton or with wool. have eX-
amined fabrics of each class, and can testify
that their appearance is good and their
strength quite remarkable. / will enclose
in this letter a small sample of the flax cot
ton, and also of unbleached muslin made
from flax and other cotton mixed in equal
proportions, for the inspection of any read
ers OF the Cultvator who may be curious to
see them.
To show that experienced manufacturers
have full confidence III the success of this
new article, it may be stated that several
large establishments are prepared to engage
in the business as soon as the new crop can
afford a supply of the material. Among
these are the mills of Messrs. Outflow,
Schessing 81 Co., near Bradford, and Mr..
Dagan, near Cork, in Ireland; also of hlessrs.
Bright Brothers g. Co., Rochdale, England.
Samples of the cloth woven at the mill of
Messrs. Bright Brothers, Of Rochdale, were
exhibited at the meeting of the Royal Agri
cultural Society, oil the 2Gth Of February, as
well as of the following articles as noticed
in the official report of the proceedings:
"Sample of flax straw, prepared accord |
ing to the new process, adapted for linen
manufactures.
Sample flong fibre scutched from the
above.
Samples of pure flax fibre, or British cot
tom adapted for spinning on cotton machl-
merry.
Sample of yarn spun on cotton machinery,
some from ali above flax fibre, others mixed |
in various proportions with American cotton,
those mixtures being termed by the inventor
flax cotton.
Samples of flax fibre prepared for mixing
with wool.
Samples Of yarn produced on ordinary |
wooden machinery, composed of wool and
fax in various proportions, termed by the in
ventor flax wool.
Samples OF flannel woven from the above.
Samples of fine cloth woven from yarn |
composed of flax and wool in various pro- |
portions, and dyed.