field soon realized that the mechanically carded
wool was not only much easier to spin but enabled them to produce twice
as much yarn from the same amount of wool. Although many brought their
wool to be carded at his factory, Arthur was not without problems. These
were evident in his advertisement of May 1802, in which he stated that
if the wool was not properly "sorted, clipped, and cleansed" he would
charge an extra penny per pound. He also added that he would issue no
credit. Shortly after this, recognizing the need for additional carding
machines in other localities, Arthur Scholfield undertook the work of
manufacturing such machines for sale. Through this venture he was to
spread his knowledge of mechanical wool carding throughout the country.

The Scholfield Machines

The first record of Arthur's sale of carding machines appeared in the
_Pittsfield Sun_ in September 1803. The next year, in May 1804, his
advertisement informed the readers that A. Scholfield continued to card
wool, and also that:

He has carding-machines for sale, built under his immediate
inspection, upon a new and improved plan, which he is determined to
sell on the most liberal terms, and will give drafts and other
instructions to those who wish to build for themselves; and
cautions all whom it may concern to beware how they are imposed
upon by uninformed speculating companies, who demand more than
twice as much for machines as they are really worth.

Scholfield must have felt that some of his competitors were charging
much more for their carding machines than they were worth. Also, others
were producing inferior machines that did not card the wool properly.
Both factors encouraged Arthur to continue the commercial production of
wool-carding machines. In April 1805 he again advertised:

Good news for farmers, only eight cents per pound for picking,
greasing, and carding white wool, and twelve and a half cents for
mixed. For sale, Double Carding-machines, upon a new and improved
plan, good and cheap.

And in 1806:

Double carding machines, made and sold by A. Scholfield for $253
each, without the cards, or $400 including the cards. Picking
machines at $30 each. Wool carded on the same terms as last year,
viz.: eight cents per pound for white, and twelve and a half cents
for mixed, no credit given.

With both carpenters and machinists working under his direct