476 Paper at the International Exhibition. (October, 
of large size, and as strong as athick fabric. It is generally 
rough, but sometimes well-glazed, in which case it is worth 
sixpence or more per square yard. ‘This paper is submitted 
to the action of steam, and then dressed with a mixture 
formed of oils of Stevculia tomentosa and of hemp-seed, 
mixed with white-lead and castor-oil seeds. The paper 
used for covering umbrellas is prepared much in the same 
way, and resists the effects of rain and sun for a long time. 
It is, however, to Japan we must look for the most in- 
structive information as to the different uses to which paper 
may be applied. The Japanese are wonderfully proficient 
in giving to paper the hardness and weight of heavy wood, 
and manipulating it in all sorts of shapes. Some of the 
common paper made is so tough that it can only be torn 
with difficulty. Coats, hats, shoes, umbrellas, boxes of all 
kinds, ornaments of every description, pocket-handkerchiefs, 
fans, &c., are made from paper; in fact a Japanese will turn 
paper into a hundred useful forms. The imitation-leather 
paper is made by mixing oil with the pulp; in the same 
manner all waterproof-paper is manufactured. ‘The juice 
of persimmons is sometimes also used in making paper 
intended to resist dampness. From that country we have 
directions* for making paper-cloth warranted to wash, which is 
known by the name of ‘‘ Shifu,”’ and which are as follows :— 
‘Take some of the paper called ‘hésh6’ (used for letters, 
book&, &c.), or some of the best ‘senka’ (paper used for 
making rain-coats), and dye it of the colour required. Boil 
some of the roots called ‘ Ron-niaku-no-dama,’ with the 
skins on; try them with the inner portion of a rice-stalk; 
when it penetrates easily they are sufficiently boiled. Peel 
them and let the water run off, and then pound them into a 
paste. Spread this paste on either side of the paper, and 
let it dry in the sun till quite stiff. Then sprinkle water on 
it until it is thoroughly damped, and leave it in that state 
for a night. The next morning roll it upon a bamboo of the 
thickness of the shaft of an arrow, and force it with the 
hands from either end into a crumple in the centre; unroll 
it, and repeat this process two or three times, rolling it from 
each side and corner of the paper. Then crumple it well in 
the hands by rubbing it together until it becomes quite soft, 
and then sprinkle water on it again to damp it. Pull it out 
straight and smooth, fold it up, and pound it with a wooden 
mallet. It may then be put into water, as much and as 
often as is liked, without sustaining injury, having become 
* Vide “ Reports on the Manufa@ture of Paper in Japan.” Printed Parlia- 
mentary Paper, No. 400 of 1871. 
