EUROPE: SWITZERLAND. 275 



REPORT OF VICE AND DEPUTY CONSUL AT AARAU. 



The consumption of paper increases in Switzerland, as in other 

 countries, from year to year. The manufacturers of paper make con- 

 tinual efforts to produce this article more cheaply, as well as to im- 

 prove the quality thereof. The inclosed table shows the importance 

 of the imports and exports of raw material. The exports consid- 

 erably exceed the imports. The manufacture of cellulose suffers 

 from overproduction. The Swiss mills furnish more than enough 

 common paper. Prices are low, especially in consequence of foreign 

 competition. Austria, for example, sells paper products at exceed- 

 ingly low prices on the Swiss market. Although the Swiss manu- 

 facturers take pains to produce grades of paper (fine writing paper, 

 note paper, and paper for art printing) of as good quality as that 

 of foreign competitors, a great deal is still imported from other 

 countries. 



In my opinion, American manufacturers might succeed in ex- 

 porting such paper to Switzerland. The duties on paper for art 

 printing, lithography, etc., are high almost everywhere. Germany, 

 Austria, France, and Belgium furnish most of the oaper used in 

 Switzerland. 



There are about 500 printing establishments in this country, of 

 which 270 do an important business, and their proprietors are mostly 

 publishers as well. Besides these, a great number of factories (of 

 embroideries, silk ribbons, knit goods) consume different kinds 

 of wrapping paper. These factories, and especially the numerous 

 chocolate mills that exist in Switzerland, display much care in the 

 wrapping of their goods. Cheap specialties in this line imported 

 into Switzerland might therefore find a ready market. 



The most important paper mills are at the following places: 

 Biberist, Zurich, Lanquart, Grellingen, Cham, and Balsthal. The 

 other factories are of less importance, and some produce only special 

 kinds of paper, such as cardboard, etc. 



Paper for art printing and stained paper is, so far as I know, 

 made only by one firm Diem & Aberhamsly, Herisau. 



PRODUCTION. 



The following table of exports and imports gives particulars 

 concerning the great quantities of raw material. The paper mills 

 generally possess excellent water power, and have also, almost 

 without exception, sufficient steam reserves. They are situated near 

 railroads, have their own switches (if necessary), and are provided 



