EUROPE: UNITED KINGDOM. 



303 



to the problem, could turn out a pure paper, or a paper and fiber 

 compound, which would entirely oust mill and leather boards from 

 use in such manufactures as portmanteaus, trunks, etc. What is 

 desired is a material which will be hard and durable and sufficiently 

 tough to admit of being sewn without danger of afterwards tearing 

 along the line of stitches. He says: 



The best size of board for use in the portmanteau and trunk trade would be 36 

 by 54 inches and the gauges 14 and 16 Birmingham wire gauge. A board of this 

 description should not weigh more than from 3 to 3^ pounds. The better'class 

 of makers use only the West leather board and millboard. They would welcome 

 a better material, especially if it could be furnished without increased cost. 



I have received from the manager of a large mill the following 

 statement of the range of prices per pound of printing, writing, and 

 other papers: 



The prices of millboards, etc., are generally quoted per cwt. in 

 this market. The following are the current prices per cwt. (112 

 pounds) of representative grades of several of these materials. They 

 are from samples of the products of two of the three millboard mills 

 in this district: 



Gray board (medium quality) $2. 19 



Millboard: 



Medium quality 4. 38 



Fair quality 5. n 



Leather board: 



Good quality 5. 96 



Finest quality 6. 81 



As I have stated, strawboard is not made in this country. The 

 prices of ordinary kinds range in Edinburgh at present from $1.41 

 to $1.0- per cwt. (112 pounds). 



Grocery papers range in price from $1.82 to $3.65 per cwt. 



From a source mentioned in a preceding paragraph, I have ob- 

 tained a more detailed list of prices, covering nearly all grades of 

 paper, except grocery papers and the like. 



