Paper
a material made in thin sheets from a pulp of rags, esparto grass, straw, wood or other fibers, and used for made from the Egyptian papyrus, The earliest paper was doubtless that made from the Egyptian papyrus, whence all similar writing material is named. Many books and newspapers have been printed entirely of one material, such as bamboo, straw, jute, etc. In Japan a species of mulberry osier is grown specially for its bark for paper making. Only two vegetable fibers have come into general use for paper making; these are esparto and wood pulp. The best sources of fiber are linen and cotton rags for white paper and hempen cordage for brown. A caustic soda or soda-ash is required in the preparation of many fibers.
Raw fibers may be divided into four classes: (1) that which is easily reduced and easily bleached; (2) that which is difficult to bleach; (3) that which is difficult to reduce but easily bleached; and (4) that wherein perfect bleaching effects the integrity of the fiber. The longer the fibers and the more intricate the mixture of them when wet, the stronger will be the sheet of paper when dry. The culms of various cereal the stronger will be the sheet of paper grasses are employed rice straw in Asia, wheat, oat, and other loyed where obtainable; kinds of straw in Europe. Straw was rice straw in Asia, wheat, oat, and other used a century ago for paper making, but its extensive use is of comparatively ply of rags and the absence of any cheap to a great run on wood pulp for the paper mills in most countries. Its manufacture and use dates practically back only to about 1870; indeed its general adoption may be referred to 10 years later. The conifers giving the strongest adoption may be referred to 10 years PAPER adapted for conversion into pulp, though many other species are used. The production has centered chiefly in America a large quantity of paper and pasteand the two Scandinavian countries, board for export. Wood pulp is now the Norway and Sweden. They also make principal ingredient in cheap paper. It is deficient in fiber, but a moderate admixture of rags, esparto, or other fibrous material strengthens it. Much of the paper made is used up a second time.
Cotton and linen rags are the mainstays of the paper maker, and all countries draw largely on these waste substances. and various mineral matters, such as In order to reduce the price many makand various mineral matters, such as kaolin or china clay. the following four classes: (1) news and printing papers; (2) writing papers The varieties of paper made are chiefly of various kinds, blue, cream and yellow laid, and wove and tinted, and for account books, etc.; (3) wrapping or packing papers, brown and purple, heavy count books, etc.; (3) wrapping or packmanila for cartridges and bags; (4) miscellaneous, such as light copying, tissue, manila for cartridges and bags; (4) misand pottery papers, blotting and filtering, cigarette, etc. Lastly, there are all ing, cigarette, etc. Lastly, there are all The principal kinds of papers embrace ties. In 1772 there were 60 varieties of paper made from as many different materials, and 10 or 12 years later the number had been extended to 103. In those days all paper was manufactured by hand, each sheet separately. The rags and several days were required to turn out a sample of dry finished paper. The hand, each sheet separately. The rags days all paper was manufactured by workman dip mould into the vat and deposited the sheet of fluid pulp on a piece of felt to dipped a rectangular sieve or dry. which is still largely practiced in Holland and Italy, has been superseded very This simple mode of manufacture, generally by continuous machines, and only a small quantity of paper for spesuperior writing, bank-note, and drawcial books, editions de luxe, etc., besides a ing paper is now made by hand. The various machines for making paper in continuous lengths are wonderful productions of mechanical skill. These machines consist of contrivances for causing an equal supply of pulp to flow ductions of mechanical skill. These revolves and carries on the paper till it is received on an endless sheet of felt, passing around and between large revolves and carries on the paper till it Exhibition there was a roll 14 miles long, 18 inches wide, and weighing 2,658 PAPHLAGONIA pounds. Some of the machines are 75 to 100 feet long and 120 inches wide, requiring a building to themselves, and making a sheet of paper 7 feet in width.
In the United States, for fine book-work, the paper receives a white coating after it has been made; the finish thus given co the surface renders possible the illustrations seen in our best magazines. The productive power of a modern papermaking machine is very great; it moves at a rate of from 20 to 200 feet per minute, spreading pulp, couching, drying and calendering as it goes, so that the stream of pulp flowing in at one end is in two minutes passed out as finished paper at the other.
Paper Production of the World. In PAPYRUS tia, under the Romans, 25 B. C.; and was made a separate province by Constantine I. (323-337).