363 
Marram Grass for Paper-making.—A note appeared in K.B,, 
1912, p. 396, directing attention to the value of Marram grass 
(Ammophila arundinacea, Host.), for the manufacture of paper, with 
the results of certain experiments carried out by Messrs. Clayton 
Beadle and Stevens. 
A further series of experiments have been conducted by the same 
firm, the results of which are appended. 
Messrs. Clayton Beadle and Stevens write :—* We have extended 
our experiments in the direction of the utilisation of the above fibre 
[Marram grass] for the purpose of paper-making and the following 
are the results obtained :— 
“On green stem as received —- 
Yield of dry uncrushed fi 
Yield of boiled unbleach 
bleache 
bre ... is 56°4 per cent, 
ed (bone dry) fibre 17°7 rs 
ee, d ” ” » 13°] 
Percentage of ash és os i 2085; 
Soda consumption (NaOH) ... tn 6°85 
Bleach consumption (bleaching powder) 208 2% 
“ On dry stem— 
Yield of boiled unbleached fibre see 31°4 
“oH $s a (bone dry) fibre 25°0 ,, 
Soda consumption (NaOH) ... see 12°2 
Bleach consumption (bleaching powder) wos 
Ash of dry stem oe We ‘a 37 
Length of fibre (mean of 10 observations) 0°65 mm. 
to those of esparto. In spite of the extreme shortness of the fibres, 
as will be seen above, it possesses considerable strength, combined 
with qualities which appear to render it suitable for fine printings. 
Although the fibres are shorter than those recorded for esparto, the 
paper appears to possess greater strength. The yield is somewhat 
low and the consumption of soda is somewhat high in comparison 
with esparto, 
“ Having regard to the rapidity of growth of this grass in rope § 
parts of the British Isles, and the possibility of extending its growt 
on waste lands from whence it might be got into the mills at a low 
figure, we think paper-makers should turn their attention to the 
possibility of its utilisation, particularly having regard to the very 
promising nature of its paper-making qualities. 
“ Although the soda consumption is high, the fact must not be 
lost sight of that 80-90 per cent. of the soda in such a case would 
