56 



— in view of the above facts and of the abundance of unused land in our 

 country, the author is encouraged to believe that the time will soon come 

 when the growing of pulp timbers will be one of our recognized indus- 

 tries, and therefore has some hope of results from the application of the 

 following suggestions. 



Suggestions, Recommendations, Estimates, Etc. 



Of the trees used for paper pulp, spruce, hemlock, and poplar are the 

 most widely used and collectively furnish perhaps 90 per cent, of all 

 wood used either for ground wood or chemical fiber. Spruce is used 

 mostly for '•ground wood" and sulphite pulp, forming as ground wood 

 almost the entire substance in newspapers, and as sulphite fiber from 

 10 to 25 per cent, of the stock in the better grades of printing and writing- 

 papers. Spruce now brings from .$9 to $11 per cord, and as it is rapidly 

 becoming a substitute for pine, its value will rise. It is recommended 

 that spruce be planted either in pure stands or mixed with poplar or 

 hemlock on the numerous burnt-over, non-agricultural lands in our north- 

 central States. According to a paper manufacturer of competent author- 

 ity, the virgin spruce forests of northern New York which were cut over 

 from 20 to 30 years ago are now affording spruce trees from 12 to 20 

 inches in diameter and are being used for paper pulp with good results. 



Hemlock, and especially the western hemlock, makes a good sul- 

 phite pulp. and. as the spruce supply fails, is steadily taking its place 

 not only as a lumber substitute, but, on account of its high cellulose con- 

 tent, in the wood pulp industry also. References to figures and state- 

 ments in well known publications will substantiate the statement that 

 the growing of spruce and hemlock for pulp wood on the available tracts 

 would be a profitable industry. 



In this country the poplars furnish 12.9 per cent, of all woods used 

 for pulp of all kinds, being chiefly used for soda fiber mixed Avith from 

 10-20 per cent, of stronger pulp. Poplar pulp forms the chief material for 

 such papers as the Ladies' Home Journal and Youth's Companion. Sulphite 

 pulp alone would make too harsh a paper, while soda pulp alone would 

 make too weak a paper. Mixed together in the proper proportions, how- 

 ever, a paper characterized first by strength, second by softness and 

 delicacy is produced. The use of poplar for pulp is rapidly spreading in 

 the east-central States, great quantities being shipped in from the Caro- 

 linas and adjoining States. A forester of one State has recently said: 



