PAPER

In the manufacture this well-known commodity, fibrous substances are used, which, on being reduced to * pulp, still retain innumerable filaments. ° meet the enormous demands of the pre and commerce generally, over 400 varieties of woods and gra es have been called into requisition, linen and cotton rags being now used only in the manufacture of the very best writing paper. Nearly 200,000 tons of Esparto gra from Spain and North Africa,and over two million ypaeees worth of wood-pulp—chbicily from Norway and Sweden—are vy pA annually into England. Paper to the valuo of 4} million pounds per year is apres into this country, Holland being tho leading source of supply. In paper-making by hand the materials are reduced by machinery to a pulp, which, when ready, is poured into square frames with fine wire bottoms, where the pulp settles in a thin shect. When safficient water has drained off, this eel felt, anol eremed between sheets sized, and, if nece ary, glazed. Of the pepe now manufactured, about 99 cent. is machine-made, [s. 235]