The present value of "Megasse" (in its crude condition as produced) is relatively to that of fuel, as, unless it is returned to the soil as manure (which is the practice in some countries), it is employed in the Sugar factories, for raising steam, for motive power, and for evaporating the Cane juice.
As the value of "Megasse" thus considered is very low, factories established in connection with existing sugar mills for the manufacture of "Paper-Stock," where sufficient quantities of so bulky a material could be concentrated, and where other favourable conditions exist (of which an abundant supply of water is an essential), would yield a large profit to the planter or sugar manufacturer, as the "Paper-Stock" he would produce would meet with a ready sale at prices at least equivalent to "Esparto," reduced to the same condition.
Having made "Paper-Stock," and "Paper" of good quality from "Megasse," and determined the profitable result of such a manufacture beyond dispute, I look forward at no very distant date to see the Paper-trade of this country receiving, at least, a portion of its raw material from some of our own Colonies and Dependencies (in most of which Sugar is produced), instead of, as now, being entirely dependent on Foreign Countries for supply.
It is estimated that the consumption of sugar in England amounts annually to upwards of 800,000 tons, or about 57 lb. per head of the population; and as it may be assumed that for each ton of sugar 1 ton of "Megasse" at least is produced, it will be seen that a large reserve of Fibrous Material is available, awaiting the enterprise of either the Sugar or the Paper-manufacturer or a combination of both.
It is now my object to show to the Two parties mainly interested, the Producer and the Consumer, how closely their interests are coincident, and how both would be benefited by the creation and development of a new Industry.
The Producer, the Sugar-manufacturer, is, in point of fact suffering from a similar competition to that experienced by the Paper-manufacturer in 1861—handicapped by the drawback allowed on the export of French, and Belgian, Beet-root Sugar, with which he is unable to compete, in the same manner as the Paper-maker suffered from the introduction of French, and Belgian, Paper—free, while the Raw Material—Rags, paid a heavy export duty.
The Consumer, the Paper-manufacturer, is suffering from a lack of suitable material, which the Producer is able to supply, and by so supplying and utilizing a by-product, hitherto of little value to him, places himself in a position to meet his competitors on equal, if not better terms in the market.
It is true, that this (to him) new system of utilizing what may now be termed a waste, or by-product, would involve the outlay of additional capital, by the Sugar-planter or manufacturer, which he may deem foreign to his present business, but manufacturers now-a-days make their profits mainly by utilizing by-products.
A familiar instance of this may be cited in the Chemical trade; the muriatic acid produced in the manufacture of soda, formerly run to waste, being now employed for making bleaching powder; and, still more recently, the by-products annaline, anthracene, ammonia, &c., which formerly created a nuisance wherever Gas-Works existed, now constitute a large portion of their profits.
"Bamboo," the other Raw Material to which I have alluded, can hardly be called "New," it being well known that both the Chinese and Japanese have from time immemorial employed "Bamboo" for Paper-making purposes; and I have shown in the preceding "Remarks" that attempts have more recently been made, not hitherto affording successful commercial results.