OS

LADY MOIRA’S PROCESS FOR CONVERTING FLAX INTO COTTON, At. [Class IV.

facture of mixed fabrics, as it appears capable of beingspun with wool, silk, and other fibres. It may, there-fore, perhaps hereafter lead to several new and important .practical applications. For this ingenious process the Juryawarded a Prize Medal.

The idea of modifying the fibre of flax and hemp, soas to convert it into a kind of cotton is by no means new.In 1747, Lilljikreuzes and Palmquist described a modeof converting flax into “ cotton” by boiling it for sometime in a solution of caustic potash, and subsequentlywashing it with soap. In 1775, considerable quantitiesof refuse flax and hemp were converted into “ flax-cot-ton ” by Lady Moira, with the aid of T. ft. ftailey, ofHope, near Manchester. The full details of the processemployed do not appear to have been published : butfrom Lady Moira’s letters in the “ Transactions of theSociety of* Arts for 1775,” it appears that the fibre wasboiled in an alkaline lye, or a solution of kelp con-taining carbonate of soda, and subsequently scoured.The result of this was, that “ the fibres seem to beset at liberty from each other,” after which it may be“ carded on cotton cards.” It appears that at this time“flax cotton” was made and sold at threepence a pound;and Lady Moira states that she believes that it takescolours better than flax. It is curious to observe thefate of Lady Moira’s scheme : she says, “ I have noreason to be vain of the samples 1 have sent yon, theymerely show that the material of flax cotton, in ablehands, will bear manufacturing, though it is my ill for-tune to have it discredited by the artizans who work forme. I had in Dublin, with great difficulty, a gownwove for myself, and three waistcoats; but had not theperson who employed a weaver for me particularlywished to oblige me, I could not have got it accom-plished; and the getting spun of an ounce of this cottonin Dublin 1 found impracticable ; and the absurd alarmthat it might injure the trade of foreign cotton hadgained ground, and the spinners, for what reason I can-not comprehend, declared themselves such bitter enemiesto my scheme, that they would not spin for me. Suchis my fate, that what between party in the metropolisand indolence in this place (Ballynahynch), I am notcapable of doing my scheme justice. That it should everinjure the trade of foreign cotton is impossible. Thoughlong accustomed to behold shoes and stockings lookedupon in this part of the world by the generality as quiteunnecessary, yet 1 cannot think but some apparel is re-quisite ; and as the price of wool is so high, and thepoverty of the people so great, I did wish to introduceamongst them that invention which I saw might hegreatly improved, and turn the refuse of flax into com-fortable clothing, and by a process so easy that everyindustrious wife and child might prepare it.” LadyMoira states, that the flax-cotton gowns which she hadhad made, and which were worn by the members of herown family, were exceedingly durable; and the specimensof these fabrics, as well as of the flax-cotton prepared byher, which are still preserved in the Museum of the Societyof Arts, &e., are highly remarkable for their beauty.

Subsequently to this, several attempts were made inGermany to convert flax into a fibre resembling cotton,which could be used, either alone or together with cot-ton, in the manufacture of cotton goods. In 1777, BaronMeidinger proposed to convert flax into a sort of cotton,by the action of alkaline solutions, &c. In 1780, a fac-tory was established at Berehtoldsdorf, near Vienna , forthe practical working of this process; and similar planswere subsequently brought forward by Kreutzer in 1801,Stadler and Haupfuer in 1811, by Sokou in 181G, and byseveral others. At the factory at Berehtoldsdorf notonly was flax converted into cotton, but likewise a usefulcotton-like fibre was prepared from tow and refuse flax :and the same is said to have been done by Haag, nearPressburg. in 1788, by Gobell in 1803, and Segalla in1811. Whether these various plans failed from theeffects of jealousy and opposition, like that which pre-vented Lady Moira from introducing her “ flax-cotton,”is unknown, but it does not appear that any of them werelong persevered in : it is probable that in most cases theneighbouring manufacturers set themselves against the

introduction of flax-cotton; for Beckmann, who speaksof its manufacture near Brunswick, states, that thework-people determined not to use the new material,though, at the same time he observes, that excellent fus-tians were made which could not be distinguished fromthose manufactured with ordinary cotton. The extreme si-milarity of flax-cotton to ordinary cotton is also remarkedby Des Oharmes (1709), who states, that if the staple is cutbefore it is carded, it is not possible to distinguish itfrom cotton, either in its raw state or when manufac-tured. The matter was subsequently investigated byBerthollet , by Gay Lussac , and by Giobert, who em-ployed alternately steepings in hot solutions of soap,alkali, and sulphuric or muriatic acid. Berthollet ob-serves that equally fine cotton is obtained from the com-monest refuse tow, as from the best flax.

A good sample of well-prepared flax is exhibited byMessrs. CATORand Nelson (4(3, p. 198*). It is shown noton account of superiority of fibre, but as a specimen ofmanipulation and treatment; it is very creditable, andwas deemed worthy of Honourable Mention.

Some good samples of fiax are exhibited by G. Mason(34, p. 199*); they are, 1st, flax grown, steeped, andscutched at Yately. North Hants; flax grown in SouthHants; flax grown at Cobham , in Surrey ; and flaxgrown at Farnborough. There are likewise samples offlax scutched at Winchester County Gaol, and severalspecimens of tow. and the whole is illustrated by a seriesof models of the tools and implements used in the pre-paration and working of fiax. This series was deemedworthy of Honourable Mention.

Some excellent specimens of yellow flax, grown atTrimmingham, in Norfolk , by Mr. Warnes,* and someblue flax grown in Yorkshire , ns well as some of thebest Courttai and Lokeren flax from Belgium, are ex-hibited and contrasted, both in the raw and partly manu-factured states, by Messrs. Hives and Atkinson, of Leeds(45, p. 198*). They are very creditable, and fully en-titled to Honourable Mention. (See p. 101.)

Excellent Courtrai flax is also exhibited, for best qua-lity and finish, by Messrs. Marshall, 5 " of Leeds (55,p. 199*); these also are well entitled to HonourableMentiou. (Seep. 101).

An interesting series of samples of flax, prepared bymechanical means alone, is exhibited by M. J. J. Donlax( 43, p. 197* 198*).

A number of good samples of raw and partially-dressedflax are also shown in connexion with thread and oiliermanufactured articles: amongst them it will be enoughto mention the specimens of Devon and Dorset flax, bothwatered and heckled, which are contrasted with goodPolish and Russian fiax in the Bridport series (ClassXIV., 73 to 514): the golden flax grown at Chiswick ,by J. P. Bull; the flax from Islay , grown by W. Simp-son (pp. 510-513 •: the flax shown by Sadler, Fenton,and Co. (Class XIV.. 18, pp. 510-513), and Jameson andCo., of HulL Class XIV. GO); all of which, as well as thesamples of flax from West Chinnock, in Somerset , shownby R. Hayward: Class XIV., 44, p. 512),and those fromCrew kerne, shown by P. Loveless and by J. Brooks ofI Dinnington, are excellent.

I Some good samples of hemp, accompanied by clothmanufactured from it in the Himalayas , are shown inthe valuable collection of East Indian fibres.

Samples of Canadian fiax are exhibited by M. Bastien,of St. Rise (70, p. 963), and of hemp, by F. Grice, ofMontreal (71, p. 963). In both eases the quality of thefibre is good, but its preparation is faulty and objection-able ; with a little more care the value of each would beconsiderably increased: they were both deemed worthyof Honourable Mention.

A good specimen of flax from Van Diemen’s Land isexhibited by J. Dixon, of Skelton Castle, Isis(19, p. 99),and by F. Lipscombe (174, p. 995): these were bothdeemed worthy of Honourable Mention.

A few small samples of flax and hemp from the United States are contributed by E. R. Dix, of Vernon, New York (139, p. 1441They are of fair average quality, hut

* Awarded a Prize Medal by Jury of ('lass Xiv.