THE FLAXMILLING INDUSTRY.

Mataura Ensign, 24 February 1909, Page 4

THE FLAXMILLING INDUSTRY.

AN INGENIOUS INVENTION. A successful trial was held at Kenningtou the other day (says the 'South land Times') with a new flax washer, the invention of Mr Samuel Graham.! of Wendon. The trial took place in Mr H. Blomfield's mill before an interested audience of those connected with flax-milling. The model was less than working size, but it was apparent from the work done tlmt it should effect something of a revolution in the washing department of the industry. The hanks of llax arc placed on the hooks of a revolving drum, driven Inordinary gearing, and are kept revolving under a powerful How of water, and the pressure of several rollers, for about a quarter of an hour or more (according to tlio grade of flax required). The process is to keep the drum revolving until the llax is tliormghly washed, when it is automati- ! "ally discharged from the drum by jlteans of a "crib," the full load being instantly placed on a travelling table, and thus removed, thoroughly washed. The new invention is simplicity in itself, and can be operated by a mere boy. If "points" are lost in washing they cannot, be afterwards made up, and so it will be seen that, the washing department of a llax-mill is the principal feature. The old system of washing is by hand, but with the now "drum" washer it is almost entirely automatic, and, in addition to turning out a much improved article, it, requires the attendance of only two men (instead of four). One of them has to olace the hanks on the hooks while 'lis companion has simply to remove lie washed fibre from the travelling 'able, There are altogether T.j hooks >ii the machine, and as each hook "a tries one hank J lie machine is capable >1 dealing with 75 hanks in ]."> minutes vitli two men, as against an average >f 4-1-1 hanks with four men under the ild system.

An old and experienced (lax-miller it the trial expressed the opinion that ; ho product of the new machine would Cam IX out ol the possible of 20 given iy tlie Oovernuu'iit grader, as against in average of 12 to 1-1 usually given or flax washed under the old method. Vnother salient feature of the svstem s that there is absolutely no waste, while usually lewt to 2cwt are lost ml of every ton at present; and again the ability ot the employees floes not "ome into the question, since thev have ;io handling to do from the time the lanks are placed mi the hooks until the (unshed article is carried awav on the travelling table.