TABLE I. -Composition of papers delivered on contract before and after institution of 

 tests, as compared with the specifications. 



a Manila. 



^Ground wood. 



The total quantity of paper ordered on this contract was nearly 

 3,000,000 pounds. As the price of chemical wood paper is from 3 to 

 3 cents a pound, while rag paper is worth from 15 to 20 cents a pound, 

 and manila paper brings 5 cents a pound as compared with unbleached 

 chemical wood paper at 2f to 3 cents a pound, the saving to the Gov- 

 ernment in value of goods received by the institution of these tests 

 is readily seen to be enormous. 



The tests reported in Table II represent an extended study of the 

 better class of writing papers as to their quality, strength, and relative 

 value for permanent records, and are illustrative of the examinations 

 made to determine suitability for a specific use. The kind of stock, 

 strength, sizing, and ash show the general quality and nature of the 

 paper, and on these determinations, together with the loss of strength 

 on folding, the reaction, and the quantity of salts present in the 

 paper, an opinion as to the relative durability of the papers submitted 

 may be formed. 



TABLE II. Examinations of writing papers, with special view to their durability for 



permanent records. 



Serial numbers. 



o Animal and rosin. 



& Animal, rosin, and starch. 



c Neutral. 



d Faintly acid. 

 t Medium. 



fClr.34] 



