The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-11-07
How Ropes Are Made.
From the DrYgoOdsman.

The basic principle of all ropes, large or
small and of whatever material constructed,
is the twisted strang of spun fibre, and in
the degree of skill shown in the twisting
and spinning lies the beauty and utility of
the finished cord The materials most
generally used in rope building today are
the common hemp. There are several
plants of varying distribution from which
hemp is obtained, but the most familiar is
that cultivated in many Of our States and
and yielding a stringy bark. 1t came
originally from about the Caspian and has
been cultivated for ages in Oriental coun
tries for its various products of fibre, pow
erful drug and oil obtained from the seed.
In this country the plant grows from eight
to twelve feet high from seed sown along
in April, and is cut when the leaves
begin to turn and the stems to whiten.
The stems are cut and stripped and left to
be dew or rain rotted, or else are immersed
in water to loosen the fibre from the wood,
which is separated by being beaten or be-
ing run through breaking machine and
drawn through ''hackles'' which same are
sharp iron spikes set upright in frame.
This treatment lays the fbres lengthwise
and combs out the waste tow.
Although machines have been invented
for the making of ropes, there is much of
the hempen stuff made yet by hand, but
for ships rigging and boat hawsers fibre
is required which will not deteriorate in
water. For the hand made rope consid-
cradle space is necessary--or, rather con-
siderable length, for the ropc-walk Of time
immemorial is path several hundred yards
long. In modern establishments this path
is inclosed in long, low building, in each
end of which is placed what small amount
of machinery the plant requires, chief
among which is large wooden wheel op-
Grated by hand crank and carrying sew
eral cord bands communicating revolving
motion to as many little spindles ending in
hooks. A workman takes large bunch
of the Strengthened fibre and fastens 1t
about his waist with the ends in front.
Then drawing out two wisps of this he ties
each to hook, and as they begin to turn
the spinner backs away down the path,
paying out two lines of catching, snarling
fibre between fingers and thumbs, which
are protected by pieces of woolen cloth. If
the fibre comes too thick he thins it with
deft jerk, and if too thin he thickens it
with nimble doubling of the supply, and
all the time he is backing steadily and the
little rotating hooks are twisting his hemp
en- yard. At intervals along the way are
outstanding frames on which he rests his
yarn to keep it off the ground, and when
the end of the walk is reached the two
nearly made threads are tied together and
caught over hook and back he goes to
begin the same work over again.
Experience teaches the spinner just how
fast to walk SO that the yarn may be evenly
twisted, while he also calls instructions to
the boy at the wheel, who turns fast or
slow, as the occasion requires. When
quantity of the yarn is finished then begins
the uniting of it into strands, and much
the same process is followed for three or
more threads are twisted into one, but al
ways the twist given to the strand is in the
opposite direction from that given to the
warn, and if the strands are laid up into