(11) Antaimoto Fibre.—The bark of this shrub is utilised in Madagascar in very small quantities for local purposes and possesses little interest for paper-makers.
(12) Refuse Hempstalk.—The suggestion of the use of this material comes from Italy, the hempstalk having been experimented with at San Cesario Mill. This also is a fibre of a local interest only. The percentage of cellulose is very high, being over 50 per cent.
(13) Papyrus.—The revival of this celebrated material is of comparatively recent date. It should be noted that the manufacture of papyrus as carried out by the Egyptians, by smoothing out layers of bark in order to utilise them as sheets of paper, and the present day proposals which involve the production of paper pulp from papyrus, are two entirely different propositions, and the success of the old Egyptian method cannot be referred to as any assurance of success for the production of paper from papyrus along modern lines. The exploitation of this fibre must follow the lines of modern research and commercial investigation, and its value, if any, could then be established.
(14) Pousolsia.—This is a fibre of the same family as hemp and ramie. The value of this material is at present unknown, but the ultimate fibre appears to possess a most extraordinary length. Very little information is available at present as to its value for paper-making.
(15) Bamboo.—This material has been before the paper trade for many years, having first been exploited seriously by Mr. Thomas Routledge in 1875. Since that date a good deal of work has been done in connection with the fibre, but not until recently has the investigation been made of a sufficiently extensive character to enable paper-makers to form some conclusions as to the best methods of obtaining a reliable paper pulp. The researches of the writer in India go to prove that with any fibre it is necessary to take into account all the factors likely to affect the final cost of the paper pulp delivered to any given paper mill.
The figures given in a report recently published, “The Manufacture of Paper and Paper Pulp in Burma,” show the necessity of thorough investigation into all the points likely to affect the final results, viz., the price at which the paper pulp can be sold in England, assuming that the fibre in question is suitable for the manufacture of paper.
Examination of Fibres.—The exact chemical analysis of a new fibre is necessary in order to establish completely its value for textile and paper-making purposes, but the investigation of the suitability of the fibre for paper-making may be simplified by simple reduction of the raw material with caustic soda. The following process is sufficient for all practical purposes:—
Condition of Sample.—A record should be made of the general appearance of the sample, its condition and the amount available for the investigation. Any information available as to the source of supply and the growth of the plant should also be noted.
Preparation of Sample.—The material is cut up into small pieces. The most convenient appliance for this purpose is a mitre cutter as used by picture-frame makers. If the sample is a piece of wood, sections one inch thick cut across the grain of the wood are most suitable, as they can be readily cut up into thin flakes by this machine.