Part 3

It therefore would have been more correct had I, in directing attention to "BAMBOO," described it as an "_Old material_" under "_New treatment_." Such indeed was the case with "ESPARTO," an "_Old material_," well known, and tried ineffectually by many, previous to my process for converting it into paper being adopted, which, however, did not take place until it had been fully tested and approved, leading then to its speedy employment.

I believe with my new system of treatment "BAMBOO" will prove to be as superior to "Esparto," in every respect as "Esparto" was found to be superior to "Straw," the only other "_raw material_" used when it was introduced.

"BAMBOO" differs from "MEGASSE," inasmuch as the latter is produced, as it were, involuntarily, its maximum value as a "_raw product_" being determined by its comparison with fuel; whereas "BAMBOO" would have to be cultivated; but, as this plant will not only grow, but flourish, in localities unsuitable for other cultivation, and is produced with such extraordinary rapidity and abundance, it would appear that, as a _Raw Product_, it would not cost much, if any, more than "MEGASSE."

It is hardly my province to discuss here to which of the two materials, "MEGASSE" or "BAMBOO," the preference should be given. Suffice it to say that, with "_the admitted fact_" of the increasing scarcity of _Raw Material_ for Paper-making, there is ample scope for both. I have only to add that I shall be happy to advise with parties who may desire to interest themselves in either question.

CONCLUSION.

As I have broadly stated that "_Paper-Stock_" can be produced from both "BAMBOO" and "MEGASSE," to show a good _Profit_, it may be well to mention the present cost of "ESPARTO" reduced to the same condition (of "_Paper-Stock_"), as it is with this _Material_ these _Fibres_ would mainly have to compete, seeing that with its large consumption and widely extended use for most classes of Paper it now rules the Market.

The cost of good _Spanish_ "ESPARTO" at current rates, is, delivered into a Mill (say), 10_l._ per ton; it is generally assumed in the Paper-trade that about 2 tons of "Esparto" are required to make 1 ton paper, the yield being from 48 to 50 per cent.

At 50 per cent. yield therefore we have 20_l._ per ton for "_Raw Material_." Add to this, for chemicals, boiling, fuel, and labour, 50_s._ × 2 tons, we arrive at 25_l._ for the cost of "Esparto" in the same condition of _unbleached_ "_Stock_," sufficient for 1 ton paper.

"ALFA" or "_African_" Esparto does not afford so good a yield, neither will it bleach to so high a colour, nor make so good a quality of paper as "_Spanish_"; its value therefore is proportionately lower in the Market, say 8_l._ per ton as compared with 10_l._: the cost therefore of "Alfa" reduced to a similar condition of "_Stock_" may be taken at 21_l._

"ALFA" (if carefully selected) so closely resembles "_Spanish_" "ESPARTO," in its _raw condition_, that it is very difficult to distinguish one from the other, and when the two are skilfully blended, it is impossible to do so, until the bleaching process of manufacture is reached; thus, it has happened, that during the past two or three years many thousands of tons of "ALFA," having taken a "tour" through "_Spain_," and being there naturalized, have found their way to England and been sold to the unsophisticated English Paper-maker as "_Spanish_" "ESPARTO," thus supplementing the rapid exhaustion of the indigenous grass of that country.

"WOOD" "_Pulp_" as I have mentioned, is imported, both mechanically and chemically prepared, the latter (unbleached) finding a ready sale, at 24_l._ to 25_l._ per ton; "STRAW" "_Pulp_" also (bleached) realizes 26_l._ to 27_l._ per ton, but neither of these materials are likely to be introduced to any considerable extent.

"_Paper-Stock_," resulting from either "BAMBOO" or "MEGASSE," will show a very large margin of profit from the figures I have quoted, thus allowing for any necessary reduction should prices fall from increased supplies.

In concluding my "_Remarks_," having in the preceding Pages suggested the conversion of "_Raw Fibrous Substances_," notably, "BAMBOO" and "MEGASSE," into Fibrous "_Paper-Stock_," I ought perhaps distinctly to explain the difference between "_Half-Stuff_," or "_Pulp_," and "_Paper-Stock_," and my reasons for expressing a preference for the latter form of preparation,--a preference warranted, I believe, both by practical, and economical considerations.

Whatever "_Material_" the Paper-maker employs, be it Rags (of any denomination) or any other "_Fibre_," or "_Fibrous_," substance, after Boiling, he disintegrates, or comminutes it into "_Half-Stuff_," before, or while bleaching. This process, carried a stage farther, converts the "_Half-Stuff_" into "_Pulp_." Herein, not less than in the proper selection of his "_Raw Material_," lies the skill of the Paper-maker, as, however good his "_Material_" may be, in its _Raw_ or normal condition, it may be very easily spoilt in either of the processes of Boiling,--Bleaching,--or Pulping.

For example, when Bread is once toasted, thereby becoming brown (and the purer and whiter the greater the change), whereby its chemical and mechanical character has become altered, no power can reconvert it into its original condition; in like manner, however good a "_Raw Fibrous Material_" may be, if that "_Material_" be either over-boiled, or over-pulped, no power will restore its normal character.

Moreover, a "_Fibrous_" substance once reduced to the condition of "_Pulp_," it is difficult, if not impossible, even for a Microscopist, to distinguish accurately the character or quality of the original "_Fibre_,"--its strength,--or whether it has been properly or improperly treated, and reduced to that condition--until, perhaps too late, when he has bleached it, and converted it, or attempted to convert it, into a sheet of Paper.

With a Fibrous "_Paper-Stock_," however, these objections do not apply, or certainly not to the same degree, as the Paper-maker could readily examine and judge of the character and strength of the "_Fibre_" whether it was clean and free from imperfections or adulterations--in fact, could see what he was buying, or proposing to buy, which he could not do with "_Half-Stuff_" or "_Pulp_."

So far as the Producer is concerned, his outlay for the primary "Plant" and the mechanical appliances, the cost of the subsequent treatment, the drying, packing, and economical carriage and freight from a Foreign country, would in all respects be less for "_Paper-Stock_" than for "_Half-Stuff_" or "_Pulp_."

Speaking from the experience of some years, during which I have conducted the manufacture and sale of many thousand tons of "_Half-Stuff_" prepared from "ESPARTO" and other "_Raw Fibres_," I feel satisfied that in introducing a _New Semi-prepared Material_, from a Foreign country, the preference would be given by the practical Paper-maker to a "_Fibrous Paper-Stock_."

THOMAS ROUTLEDGE.

CLAXHEUGH, SUNDERLAND, 1875.

FOOTNOTES:

[A] The Journal of the Society of Arts, 28th Nov., 1856, was printed on paper made from Esparto, at Eynsham Mills, near Oxford, then in my occupation.

Transcriber's Notes:

Passages in italics are indicated by _underscore_.

Fractions are displayed as follows: 1/2 correlates with 1 half, 1-1/2 correlates with 1 and a half....

On page 15 some text is missing it is marked as ***.

Other than the corrections listed below, printer's inconsistencies in spelling, punctuation, hyphenation, and ligature usage have been retained.

The following misprints have been corrected:

changed "with "HEMP' and "FLAX," where" into "with "HEMP" and "FLAX," where" (page 8)

changed "the "15,000 _tons_ of Rags estimated by" into "the "15,000 _tons_ of Rags" estimated by" (page 22)