Fig. 228.
Fig. 231.
(418) It was stated in Chapter [XI]. that it was customary to paste or starch the bottoms of cops, in order to render them adhesive and to stiffen them. Usually the starch used is carried about in buckets, and the method is both dirty and wasteful. Mr. Lang Bridge makes the apparatus shown in Fig. [231], which consists of a copper pan in which the starch is boiled, and round the inside of which a copper steam coil is placed. An agitator or dasher is constantly revolved in the manner shown, and a small gun metal pump is driven from the same shaft. By a system of pipes the starch is raised to the various mule rooms, and is discharged over enamelled basins placed as shown, the orifice of the pipes being closed by a self-closing tap. The spinner can at any time get a supply of starch, and any surplus returns by gravitation to the mixing tank, where it is again used up. It is obvious that this method possesses many advantages over the crude mode previously described.
(419) In concluding these pages the author is fully conscious of many shortcomings, which are inevitable in a task of this magnitude, but he believes that something has been done to formulate present knowledge and practice. Many things could be added, but the intention with which the book was commenced has been carried out, and it is confidently believed that the information given and the treatment accorded to the various machines will be found of value to many students. Any suggestions of improvements or enlargements will be gratefully received, so as to enable future issues to be more valuable and useful.
APPENDIX.
Description of the Arrangement of Machinery in the Mill of the Standard Spinning Company, Limited, Rochdale.
It will be interesting to many persons to have some particulars of the arrangement of one of the most recently constructed Lancashire mills. The Standard Spinning Company’s mill is not only one of the latest but also one of the largest yet built. It consists of five floors and a basement. Each of the main rooms is 250 feet long by 125 feet wide, and adjoining the building on the ground floor is a shed 240 feet long by 40 feet wide, in which most of the cards are placed. The remaining four floors contain the mules. Placed a little apart from the main building is the scutching or blowing room, which is 70 feet by 60 feet, and has placed above it two mixing rooms. The general arrangements are shown in Fig. [232], which is a plan of the ground floor, showing the arrangement of the machinery.