PAPER MATERIALS. 131 



has borne fruit, as it does not do this more than once. To 

 work up the decaying stems into paper pulp, if it could be 

 done inexpensively, would be a desirable addition to the 

 profit of banana-growing, and would get rid of the evils in- 

 cident to the decomposition of the useless stems." 



WOOD PULP. The reduction of the trunks of certain 

 coniferous trees, as well as of the Poplar, in the preparation 

 of wood pulp, is a well-known industry of Norway and 

 Sweden, where factories for this purpose are still increasing, 

 and whence a large portion of the product finds its way to 

 this country. It is a comparatively new industry, and one 

 capable of almost unlimited extension. 



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