cases, the top Rolls require heavier weighting, more power to drive them, and more frequent covering. It is decidedly better to place the Roller Stands horizontal, so that the centre of the top Rolls may be perpendicular over the centre of the bottom Rolls.

The manner of weighting the top Rolls varies considerably in different Frames. On Brown's Speeders, the three sets of Rolls are weighted by a single weight hung on a lever, while the English Roving Frames are, I think, universally weighted by weights suspended direct from the Roller Saddles. In the former case, a four-pound weight serves for three Rolls; while, in the latter, about forty-two pounds is required for the same purpose. The latter method is a little more expensive in the original outlay, but I think is preferable. Brown's fine Speeders are so weighted that the front Roll sustains a pressure of 20 pounds, the middle 71 pounds, the back 317 pounds; Higgins' Roving Frames, 16, 9, 8, respectively; Walker & Hacking's, 16, 14, 12, respectively. It will be noticed that Brown's are weighted much heavier on the front Roll, and much lighter on the middle and back Rolls, than the others. I think the system of weighting on the English Frames is decidedly the best.

Evan Leigh's patent Shell Rolls are unquestionably very useful for top Rolls on all Roving Frames; but, if they are not good enough to meet the views of all, perhaps Mr. Hussey can accommodate them with his improvement.

The Roving, after being drawn by the Rolls, requires twisting; the method of accomplishing which you are all familiar with. The amount of twist required varies in the ratio of the square. root of the hank Roving produced, and also somewhat in proportion to the staple of the cotton; short staple requiring more than long staple. To determine the amount of twist required, it may be safe to assume for Middling Upland Cotton that the square root of the hank Roving to be produced multiplied by 14 will indicate the requisite twist per inch. It is desirable that the twist should be thrown back as near to the front Roll as possible; and, where the Flyer is so formed that the Roving is led through the nose and directly down the tube of the Flyer, the twist is not likely to follow back, as near the Roll as it ought. It is an advantage to have the Roving led out through the neck of the Flyer, so as to

give it a half-turn around the neck before it is led down the tube of the Flyer, as the twist is thereby thrown back further toward

the Roll.

For the purpose of winding the Roving on the Bobbin, it is necessary to give the Bobbin a vertical traverse, and a variable speed. The winding-on may be effected by running the Bobbin either faster or slower than the Flyer. In most Frames it is run faster. This I think is wrong in principle. Inasmuch as it is necessary to run the Flyer a certain speed to give the requisite amount of twist, it would seem to be the better policy to choose the slower speed for the Bobbin. The variation in the speed of the Bobbin is produced in the same manner in all Frames; viz., by a pair of Cones and a combination of four Bevel Gears, commonly termed a compound motion.

There are two ways of producing the vertical traverse: one by using a sleeve or tube to carry the Bobbin, which tube is caused to traverse vertically, while the Spindle, with the Flyer attached to its head, has no vertical movement; the other, by causing the Spindle itself to carry the Bobbin and traverse, while the Flyer is made long enough to be supported by a neck at each end. I think the former the better arrangement, inasmuch as the Spindle has a better support, and is consequently less subject to vibration. The latter has the advantage of requiring less time for doffing, say 21 to 4 minutes, against 6 to 10 minutes for the former, according to the length of the Frame and the number of doffers employed. In the Higgins' Frames, the long collar or tube supporting the Spindle is attached to the Frame by a universal joint ; so that, if the Frame should by any means get out of line, the tube is free to adapt itself to the direction of the Spindle so that it cannot bind; whereas what is termed the Mason Collar is permanently secured to the Frame. Both kinds have recently been extensively introduced into this country, and a little experience

will determine which is the better arrangement.

It is now almost universally the practice to use Pressers on Roving Frames, and quite a variety of kinds have been brought forward. Nearly all of them are based upon the principle of the centrifugal force of a weight attached to the outer end of an arm on the Flyer, while the inner end of the arm or finger, through which the Roving is drawn as it winds on the Bobbin, is pressed

against the Bobbin. One defect in those Pressers which depend upon centrifugal force alone is, that, in starting and stopping the Frame, they exert but little pressure, and sometimes are so hung that the tendency is rather to fly from than to press against the Bobbin. This defect is avoided in some by making the upper end of the Presser in a hook form, and suspending it on an inclined bearing; so that its own weight tends to create a slight pressure against the Bobbin at all times, in addition to the centrifugal force, which only acts materially when the Flyer is moving with considerable velocity. Pressers are objectionable on very fine Roving; some discarding them for any thing finer than 5 hank Roving, while others think it expedient to use them even for 12 or 15 hank Roving.

There seems to be a tendency to run Roving Frames at too high a speed. Nearly all machinery builders assert that their Frames are capable of running twenty or thirty per cent faster than it is expedient to run them, unless it is desirable to wear out the machines rapidly, and create the appearance of a snow storm in a carding-room. My own impression is, that, for a Bobbin 5 inches in diameter, and coarser than one hank, the Flyers ought not to make more than 600 to 650 revolutions per minute; 4 inches in diameter, and coarser than 3 hank, 800 to 900 revolutions; and 31 inches in diameter and coarser than 5 hank, 1,000 to 1,100 revolutions.

I make these brief allusions to the several points in relation to Roving Frames, simply as a starting-point for a full discussion of

the matter.

Mr. WETHRELL observed, that, instead of offering papers upon new subjects at the next meeting, he hoped the Board of Government would see fit to propose a discussion on the Papers which had been read. He then moved an adjournment.

Upon motion of Mr. Suove, it was voted, that the thanks of the Association be tendered to Messrs. STRAW and BORDEN for the Papers presented by them, and that they be requested to

furnish copies for publication.

Voted, To adjourn sine die.

Whitin's, 6;