PAPER IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



paper designed for lithographic purposes must be pasted uniformly; 

 writing and packing paper must have great strength. 



It is thus almost impossible to state any definite rule as to such 

 requirements, but it may be useful to consult the principal require- 

 ments demanded by the largest consumer in Belgium the Govern- 

 ment itself. 



Every year the Belgian Government opens a public competition 

 for the paper necessary to its different departments for the ensuing 

 year and furnishes complete specifications for bids. Foreign com- 

 petitors are admitted. Last year, the competition was for sixteen 

 lots of printing paper of sizes ranging from 42 by 31 inches to 22 

 by 17 inches, of writing paper 18 by 14 inches to 16 by 12 inches, of 

 packing paper 30 by 24 inches, and of half white for envelopes 30 

 by 24 inches, to be ordered by the Government in reams of 500 

 sheets each. 



The following table will show the requirements as to weight, 

 strength, and the ash product of each class and style of paper: 



* i square meter= 10.76 square feet. 



1 1 gram= 15.432 grains. 



\ i kilogram =2. 2046 pounds. 



As to the requirements for quality and strength, the following is 

 quoted from the specifications: 



The resistance to tearing is established by the formula 1 = -X 1,000 



1 the length of the paper. 



p=charge necessary to rupture of the band, expressed in grams. 



m = weight of paper by square meter, expressed in grams. 



b = width of the band, expressed in millimeters. 



