482 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 

 DETECTION OF WOOD PULP IN PAPER. 



Professor Wiesner, in an article upon the detection of 

 woody fibre in paper, calls attention to the insufficiency of 

 the test of Schapringer, namely, sulphate of aniline, which, 

 although sometimes reliable, yet fails under certain circum- 

 stances. He maintains, however, that the examination of the 

 finely-divided particles by the microscope will test this ques- 

 tion much more thoroughly, the peculiar cells of the w r ood 

 being easily distinguishable from those of linen, cotton, or 

 other fibre. 14 (7, CCL, 156. 



ADULTERATION OF WOOL.. 



An additional illustration of the modern tendency to adul- 

 terate articles of commerce (in this instance, fortunately, the 

 result not being injurious to health), we find in an advertise- 

 ment hi a recent German journal offering to sell the secret 

 of a process by which wool, in the yarn or the fabric, can be 

 made to weigh from ten to twenty-five per cent, more than 

 originally, according to the color desired, and without injury 

 to the fibre, or affecting the most delicate colors, or the phys- 

 ical character of the article in the slightest elegree. 24 C, 

 xxiil, 183. 



VALUE OF RAMIE FIBRE. 



The practical difficulties attendant upon the manipulation 

 of the ramie fibre seem to be disappearing, as we find that 

 this substance is now quoted in the Liverpool market at $264 

 in gold per ton. This will doubtless be good news to such 

 of our readers as have either actually entered upon the cul- 

 tivation of the plant or have it in contemplation, as at this 

 price it is said to be considerably more profitable than cot- 

 ton. Its advantages, as claimed, lie in its ready and vigor- 

 ous growth, continued from year to year, and, once planted, 

 it requires no renewal or attention for a long time. It is said 

 not to be destroyed by worms, not to suffer from peculiar- 

 ities of climate, soil, insect enemies, etc., and to require but 

 little labor to establish a plantation, where it grows rapidly 

 and yields largely, and, commanding a ready market at a 

 high pripe, there now seems nothing needed to stimulate its 

 cultivation to a great extent. The portion of our. country 



