Cheney Stereoviews Collection (29 of
)
Silk Industry (Spun SIlk), So. Manchester, Conn., U.S.A.
The combed silk after having gone through the drawing machine is pulled into continuous strips. These strips are then run through a number of drawing machines, each of which further combs out and evens the fibres. The product from the drawing machines is known as sliver, and is in the form of a very soft, loose ribbon. The silk is then ready for the roving frame, whose operation is described in the next view.
In this picture, which shows a portion of Cheney Bros., Silk Manufacturers in South Manchester, Conn., is shown a long line of these drawing machines. At the nearest machine, where the woman is seated, we get a close view of the product from the first drawing machine entering from the left and coming out the other side of the machine in the state known as sliver. Twelve continuous strips are being fed into the drawing machine and are being pulled out into a single strip of continuous length. Moreover, the strip of sliver as it issues from the drawing machine is still of the same size as one of the original twelve strips which go to make up its composition. This operation of combing and straightening the fibres is repeated a number of times. The final product is wound off the bobbins, and it is then readily carried to the roving frame.
For pictures and contemporary information on the Spinning Mill or 'Clock Tower Mill' in the
"Cheney Brothers National Historic Landmark District" page, click here.
