The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1874-12-02

6bres, and separates the rind or husk from the
shell. A man can thus clear about 1000 nuts in
day.
The first operation which the husks undergo is
soaking. The mode Of soaking and length Of
time it requires vary very much, according to the
custom in different countries. 10 some places
holes are dug IN the sand along the sea shore,
and the husks ere buried in them for six months
or more when dug out they are very clean, aud
the ibres easily separate from the cellular tissue
Of the husk. In somes cases the soaking pits
are fresh water tanks; in these, however, the
water, not being changed. becomes foul and dark
colored, and affects the color of the coir. The
principal point to be observed in the soaking is
the length Of time. Il the husks are allowed TO
stay 10 the pits or tanks too long the fibre be-
comes weakened. II they are withdrawn too
soon, the subsequent operations of extracting the
fibre and cleaning it are rendered more difficult
The modern practice is to soak the husk 10
tanks, which may be made Of iron, stone, bricks,
or wood, according to local circumstances The
soaking Of the husks is much facilitated or has
tened by introducing steam into the tanks to
warm the water it is also proved that warm wa.
ter soaking improves the fibre, and renders it soft
The exhaust steam from the engine is generally
used for warming the water; where no steam
power exists small furnace may be arranged, so
as to warm it without producing too great heat.
After soaking the husks next undergo the pro-
cess of rolling or crushing this is done by ma
chine called crushing mill" which consists Of
a massive cast-iron frame on which are mounted
huted iron rollers, actuated by powerful gearing,
and weighted by means of self-adjusting levers
and screws the husks are put through the rollers
under heavy pressure, which straightens them
and prepares them for the next process break
ing down or extracting the fibre from the husks.
This is done by machine called "extrac-
tor" consisting Of massive iron frames, between
which is mounted the drum or cylinder, whose
periphery is clothed with quantity of steel
teeth, which catch hold OF the coir FIBRE and de-
tach it from the husks: the cylinder is accurately
balanced, so as to be able to revolve at high
speed. The teeth are fitted on to the drum in
such a manner that they can be easily removed
aud renewed The extractor" is fitted with
feed,rollers actuated by powerful gearing; the
cylinder is covered in by wooden casing, so as
to keep the fibre from flying in all directions.
One more operation remains to be effected before
the fibre may be considered clean and ready for
the market or for spinning, and that is willow
ing" This is effected by means OF dust-wil-
low" which cleans and separates the fibre falling
from the "exlractors," and removes all shorts,
hards. and dirt, retaining only the good fibre.
This machine has semcircular iron net basket
of galvanized iron wire, massive iron framing,
gearing, &c.
The preparation machinery for coir fibre has
undergone many changes and Improvements the
above may be considered the most perfect and
practical machines; they are very strong and
well made in every respect, and have gun-metal
bushes SO as to minimise the risks of breakages
and consequent stoppages of work.