Paper Made from Wood 185 



until they form a stiff pulp --the pulp from 

 which paper is made. 



The pulp from the beaters is then run into 

 large chests. These chests supply a still larger vat, 

 which is connected with the "machine room." 

 Here enough of the pulp to make a sheet of the 

 right thickness is dipped up on fine wire cloth. 

 Of course it is still very wet from cooking, but 

 as soon as the pulp is raised from the vat, the 

 water begins to drain through the wire cloth. 

 Along the edges is a removable frame which 

 keeps the pulp from running off with the water. 



As the pulp is run through the machines, the 

 fibers become intertwined and matted together. 

 It is gradually rolled into a thick, smooth sheet 

 of pulp. Further pressure squeezes out any water 

 left in the pulp, reducing the sheet of paper to 

 the desired thickness. The sheets are then run 

 over large heated drums and dried, after which 

 they are ready for "sizing." At the end, sheets 

 of the same size are wound up in great rolls. 



Paper-making is a continuous business. The 

 whole process is like a great endless chain, and 

 the mills are kept running day and night, with- 

 out a stop. 



