StoneRoad2013's photos with the keyword: cotton

THe carding machines produce "slivers" which were pooled into tall cans, which then wentv to the drawing/lantern frames which stretched, straightened and slightly twisted the cotton into "rovings". These 16 spinning "Mules" were the next stage, producing thread ready to wind onto bobbins - which then went to the weaving looms.

Safely caged behind wire mesh. The centrifugal governor for the main water wheel which powers the line-shafting in the mill. This works to regulate the speed of the system by controlling sluices supplying water to the wheel. To slow, open up for more water and close if going too fast. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centrifugal_governor

still from 2 secs of videoing the back wall of the mill.

a VR wall box, just outside the shop. [camera decided to flash, which wiped out much of the detail]

Notice on the wall about the 1847 water wheel shaft, which is lying on the ground beneath.

The 1847 water wheel shaft [axle] lying in the mill yard.

Variations in the water level of the river Bollin, which supplied the water wheels became problematical, as the need for power in the mill increased, so the Gregs diversified into steam power. This working beam engine is very similar to the 20hp Boulton & Watt engine that was fitted here in 1834. Watt's use of a separate condenser made the engine more efficient than the Newcomen design which preceded it. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulton_and_Watt

A Milner's "improved" patent wall-mounted safe.

Sorry, this shot of the Mill & the chimney is dreadfully underexposed. It is octagonal and constructed from red brick, reaching around 100ft in height. It towers over the five floors of the mill built alongside. This larger chimney at the North East corner of the mill was added in 1874 to support the steam power systems first introduced around the 1810 / 1820s.

Tree silhouette caught from the path down to the Mill

I saw these little, pale yellow flowers peeking out from the pine needles, and thought I might be seeing an early crocus ... On checking, once I was back home, I know think these look like Iris Histrioides "Katherine Gold" which flowers in January / February. One group of the volunteer gardeners were busy weeding at the far end of this bed - Good Luck, guys & gals !

Open air Rhubarb patch, some crowns already starting to sprout. The earthen-ware pot are used for forcing [encouraging early growth] - the lack of light produces thin and sweet stems. [don't force crowns every year]. I've also seen indoor & heated sheds for forcing in bulk - grown in very well manured & raised beds above heating pipes.

Absolutely wonderful lines in this glasshouse - probably built in 1820s - at Quarry Bank Mill, the area forming this "porch" is curvaceous, to collect as much light as possible for the plants inside, the wings were vineries and peach houses. I was told that when restoration started in 2010 there wasn't a whole pane of glass to be found. Wanting to do things properly, some shards of glass were collected and taken to a manufacturer so the new glass - hand blown - would be exactly the same chemical composition as the original. Now, That is what I accept as attention to details !

The circular pond, presumably drained for the winter - with quite a lot of windfall apples to clear up. According to the guide book, this is a "dipping pond" - filled by water drained off the glass house roof and the shape / dark lining helps to slightly warm the water, which is then "dipped" out by watering cans so the gardeners can supply the kitchen garden & more exotic plants with not-cold water.

No, not touching - just a spread hand to indicate how big this plant is ! a bit of searching come up with Aeonium arboreum

Streptocarpus rexii en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streptocarpus_rexii

The operating handles etc for the ventilation [opening lights] in the small glasshouse. The upright one deals with the roof vents and the lower one does the side panes.

Bunch of potted plants bunched together as the decorative centrepiece of the small glasshouse.