30 



tiori, continuing to reproduce itself after each suc- 

 cessive cutting, ad infinitum. 



37. I have already stated that the fibre of the 



Ca Efpar p to. and Calotropis has been pronounced by experts 

 capable of producing first-class paper ; and we may 

 therefore fairly assume that it is superior to esparto, 

 which, according to Mr. Arnott, " holds an interme- 

 diate place between cotton, flax, jute, and manilla, and 

 those of wood and straw."* Now, according to the 

 estimates of paper-makers, two tons of Spanish (at 

 10 per ton) are required to produce one ton of paper, 

 and the cost of chemicals, fuel, labor, &c., per ton is 

 2 10s. : thus 25 may be accepted as the price of 

 sufficient esparto to yield one ton of paper. From 

 these figures a fair approximate, of the value of the 

 Calotropis fibre may be arrived at ; and it must be re- 

 membered in framing this estimate, that the esparto 

 is imported into this country in the condition in 

 which it is reaped, and that consequently the cost of 

 reduction to pulp is enhanced. This reduces the 

 yield per ton of paper-producing material 50 per cent.; 

 while with the Calotropis the case is reversed, for 

 the refuse combings will serve the purpose of paper- 

 makers, and the longest staple will be available for 

 manufacturers of rope, textile fabrics, &c. Moreover, 

 as bond fide fibre is imported, the loss in conversion 

 into paper-stock is reduced to a minimum. 



38. Apart from the fact that eventually the 

 Calotropis must, if judiciously introduced, afford a 

 material for paper, as good as, and cheaper than, 



* " Canton Lectures," delivered before the Society of Arts. By 

 W. Arnott, F.L.S. 



