EUROPE : ITALY. 



177 



PRODUCTION. 



The production of the paper mills of Italy in 1862 (including the 

 Pontifical State and the Trentino) was estimated at about 23,995 

 tons, from 59 machines and 687 vats. Of this amount, one-third 

 was packing paper, one-third paper for writing and newspapers, 

 and the other third paper of the finest quality for writing and for 

 books. The value was estimated at $3,474. In 1878, the produc- 

 tion was 54,800 tons, from 95 machines and 813 vats. In 1889, it 

 was 70,000 tons, from 200 machines and 485 vats; and the following 

 table shows the production and the value of same in 1896, from 

 389 machines and 216 vats. It also shows the different kinds and 

 the quantity and value of each. 



Quantity and value of paper manufactured in i8g6. 



It is estimated that the production for the past two years has 

 been 100,000 tons each year. 



RAW MATERIALS USED. 



The raw materials used in the manufacture of paper in Italy are 

 rags, mechanical wood pulp, chemical wood pulp (cellulose), straw, 

 hemp stalks, and a small quantity of esparto. Up to the year 1881, 

 rags were placed by the customs authorities in two classes, viz, vege- 

 table rags and rags of other kinds; but since that date they have 

 been divided into three classes, viz, vegetable rags, animal rags, and 

 mixed rags. Vegetable rags include linen, cotton, jute, and hemp. 

 The so-called animal rags are really but little used in the manufac- 

 ture of paper, although classed by the customs authorities among the 

 paper-stock materials, but are principally used for making what is 

 called mechanical wool ; also as manure, especially for olive trees. 

 The mixed rags are such as do not come in under the other two 

 classes, and contain about two-thirds waste paper. The mechanical 

 wood pulp is of rather recent date in Italy, and the production is 

 about 10,000 tons yearly. The wood used in its manufacture is fir 

 s c R P & P- 12. 



