:JJ^ MANrtACTUEES FRSM NETTLE FIBRES. 



means of oxigenated muriatic acid gas; because the old 

 mode of bleaching on grass weakens the strength of the fibre, 

 leaves it more flexible, and thereby expedites the raaceni- 

 tion, which in some degree compensates for the time it re- 

 quires longer than by the chemical process. But for 

 bleaching of yarn or cloth made of whatever substance, the 

 chemical process, if scientifically conducted, experience has 

 convinced me is preeminently superior, as it gives additional 

 strength to the yarn, greater firmnes to the texture of the 

 cloth, and isHn immense saving of time, labour, &c. 

 Subsequent After the lint is bleached it should be reduced to a pro- 



jnanagemen , ^^^ length for paper, and then macerated in water after the 

 manner of rags, and undergo similar processes till the sub- 

 stance' is converted into paper, which may be easily accom- 

 plished by manufacturers, and the substance of nettles made 

 to produce paper of the first quality and the most substan* 

 tial. ■ 



JMode in which In my process the lint was reduced by scissors to particles 



specimens of gg jyjjnute as was practicable with such an implement ; then 

 paper were . f ' * 



i)rpduced. it was macerated in cold water about ten days, and brought 



as much to a pulp as could be effected without the aid of 



grinding, &c. Being a stranger to the composition used to 



procure the adhesion of the particles, if any is used for this 



purpose, I tried several glutinous substances, none of which 



answered so well as a solution of gum, but I am well aware 



this cannot be generally used, being too expensive. 



After the pulp was impregnated with the solution, I then 

 spre;^ it thin on a wire frame of my own construction, 

 which process, except drying it, with me was final. Not 

 l)eing possessed of the means of pressing the paper any 

 more than grinding of the lint, and for want of the film 

 which adheres to the lint being stressed off, I could not com- 

 pletely destroy the colour, so as to produce a clear white 

 without picking out every discoloured particle, which I so 

 well accomplished, that when 1 had reduced the staple in 

 length, in this state it was perfectly free from colour; the 

 deterioration which ensued when converted into paper was 

 occasioned by the solution of gum. 



My processes were the fruits of my own conceptions, and 



} desire it may not be understood, that I presume to recom- 



^% roeod 



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