n: Fig. 11 Softening machine without batching apparatus]

Machine batching is preferred by many firms because the application
of oil and water, and the proportion of each, are much more uniform
than they are by the above mentioned process of hand batching. On the
other hand, there is no time for conditioning the fibre because the
lubrication and the softening are proceeding simultaneously,
although conditioning may proceed while the fibre remains in the
cart after it has left the softener.

The mechanical apparatus as made by Messrs. Urquhart, Lindsay & Co.,
Ltd., Dundee, for depositing the oil and water on the pieces or
"stricks" of jute is illustrated in Fig. 12. The actual lubricating
equipment is situated on the top of the rectangular frame in the
centre of the illustration. This frame is bolted to the side frames
of the softening machine proper, say that shown in Fig. 11. Its
exact position, with respect to its distance from the feed, is a
matter of choice, but the liquid is often arranged to fall on to the
material at any point between the second and twelfth rollers.

In Fig. 12 the ends of 13 rollers of the upper set are seen clearly,
and these upper rollers are kept hard in contact with the stricks or
pieces of jute by means of the powerful springs shown immediately
above the roller bearings and partially enclosed in bell-jars.

Outside the rectangular frame in Fig. 12 are two rods, one vertical
and the other inclined. The straight or vertical rod is attached by
suitable levers and rods to the set-on handles at each end of the
machine and to the valve of the water pipe near the top of the frame,
while the upper end of the inclined or oblique rod is fulcrumed on a
rod projecting from the frame. The lower or curved end of the
oblique rod rests against the boss of one of the upper rollers.

[Illustration: Fig. 12]

The water valve is opened and closed with the starting and stopping
of the machine, but the oblique rod is moved only when irregular
feeding takes place. Thus, the upper rollers rise slightly against
the pressure of the springs when thick stricks appear; hence, when a
thick place passes under the roller which is in contact with the
curved end of the oblique rod, the end moves slightly clockwise, and
thus rotates the fulcrum rod; this results in an increased quantity
of oil being liberated from the source of supply, and the mechanism
is so arranged that the oil reaches the thick part of the strick.