Bamboo, Considered as a Paper-making Material / With remarks upon its cultivation and treatment. Supplemented by a consideration of the present position of the paper trade in relation to the supply of raw material.

by Thomas Routledge

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), 10l. 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 20l. per ton for "Raw Material." Add to this, for chemicals, boiling, fuel, and labour, 50s. × 2 tons, we arrive at 25l. 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 8l. per ton as compared with 10l.: the cost therefore of "Alfa" reduced to a similar condition of "Stock" may be taken at 21l.

"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 24l. to 25l. per ton; "Straw" "Pulp" also (bleached) realizes 26l. to 27l. 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.