FLAX MACHINES.

Southland Times, Issue 1210, 15 February 1870, Page 3

FLAX MACHINES.

We have been requested to publish the following description of a flax-dressing machine patented by Mr Booth, #of Dunediu-.r— The principle- of the machine is nothing more than 'scraping both aides of the leaf on a spring surface, thus doing the thick and thin parts alike. The machine ia fed from a table attached to it, having small strips of wood laid along it to guide the leaves straight through the machine. The leaves are first caught between two iron rollers covered with india-rubber, each about two inches in diameter, and revolving on each other; these rollers bring the leaves on to a fixed roller about four inches in diameter, and which is also covered with india-rubber ; as soon as the leaves get on this roller they are scraped by a set of knives or scrapers fixed in an iron shaft and flange, and revolving at the rate of about two hundred revolutions per minute ; the leaves then pass a^ain through two iron rollers covered with india-rubber similar to • the first pair, and again come on a fixed roller about four inches in diameter, covered with india-rubber, and are then scraped on the other side of the leaves by another set of knivea or scrapers similar to the first. The fibre is then completely dressed, and by the application of additional machinery, it may also be washed, wrung, and dried in the one operation. All the refuse and waste in dressing makes good paper, and would probably pay the expenses of working, &c, thus making the fibre dressed clear profit. Tho gu,m is said to be valuable for medicinal and other purposes, and it can be collected by itself by the application of a drawer or box to the machine. Machines can be made capable of dressing from one to a hundred blades of flax at one time ; the motive power required for a ten blade (five leaves) machine, similar to the , drawings that accompany the patent, is less than half a horse power. One blade machines could be driven by the foot in the same manner as sewing machines.' As there are no india-rubber works in this or the Australian colonies, the machinesmust necessarily be made in England; and a gentleman has gone home to get some made. It is said the fibre is brought out, when washed, in a condition re-, ■enabling white silk. „■■