AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM ^3 



Extract of a Latter from the same Gentleman, on Vegc- 

 fable Materials for maJdng Paper. 



For some time past, among other pursuits, during my 

 leisure hours, I have tried a variety of experiments re- 

 specting the various and least expensive articles from 

 vvhich paper can be made ; and, partly with a view to this, 

 I have travelled through the greater part of Scotlandj 

 Enoland and Ireland. The result of my experiments 

 anti observations is, that by far the cheapest and most 

 ready articles from which paper can be made are refuse 

 of hemp and flax ; and the hempen particles of the hemp 

 and bean plant. 



It is a fact, that about the. generality of mills for beat^ 

 ingand dressing fiemp and flax, a large portion, in some 

 inland places, amouniing to nearly one half what is car- 

 ried thither, is either left there to rot under the name of 

 refuse, or thrown avt'ay as of no Use ; because too rough 

 and short for being spun or converted into clotk Now^ 

 from the experiment I have tried, I have uniformly 

 found, that though too rough and short for being con- 

 verted into cloth, even of the coarsest kind^ the refuse oF 

 hemp and flax> on being beat and shaken so as to sepa- 

 rate the strawy from the rough stringy particles, which 

 can be done m a fev/ minutes by a mill driven by wind, 

 water, steam, or even by an old blind horse, becomes 

 thereby as pliable and as useful for making paper, as 

 the longest and what is reckoned the most valuable part: 

 of the plant, after it has been converted into cloth and 

 worn for years. 



In its natural state, it is true, the refuse of hemp and 

 flax is generally of a brown and somewhat dark colour. 

 But what of that? By the application of a little oil of 

 vitriol and other cheap ingredients well known to every 

 bleacher, such refuse, without being in the least injured 

 for making paper, can in a few hours, if necessary, be 

 made as white as the finest cambric. By being beat 

 wh^n wet by a mill or otherwise, it also acquires a coil' 

 sicierable degree of whiteness, 10 



