ASIA: JAPAN. 405 



NAGASAKI. 



POPULATION. 



The total population of this consular district, as near as it can be 

 ascertained, is between 8,000,000 and 10,000,000. The percentage 

 of illiterates is very small; the people have mechanical traits and can 

 become producers of paper. 



CONSUMPTION. 



Japanese use paper for ordinary business and domestic purposes; 

 also for covering the sliding partitions and windows in their houses. 

 The quality is mostly of the cheapest, the better classes being used 

 to but a small extent. The sizes and weights differ largely, accord- 

 ing to the purpose for which they are used; the lightest is, however, 

 almost exclusively employed, the heavier weights being used by 

 printers. The cost of the cheapest is 2 sen (i cent) per 100 sheets, 

 about 8 by 10 inches. It is peddled through the streets by coolies, 

 and is also sold by native storekeepers at their stalls. The terms of 

 sale are cash. It is impossible to learn the quantities consumed and 

 the value of same. 



The number of newspapers is, I am informed, 15; all are dailies 

 and each office employs from 10 to 30 printers and helpers. 



The chief articles manufactured of paper are kites, toys, etc. It 

 is impossible to estimate the amount used, but it is very large. 



The consumption will probably increase with the growth of pop- 

 ulation. Modern building methods will interfere to some extent 

 with the use of paper, as glass will take the place of paper in doors 

 and windows. Japanese dominate the trade. 



PRODUCTION. 



There are a great many mountain streams that develop small 

 water power, which is now used in a very primitive way for rice 

 mills. 



Coal can be had in any part of the district at from $3 to $4 per ton. 



The raw materials for making paper are the mulberry tree, rice 

 straw, and rags. There are quantities of rice straw available. It 

 is impossible to learn the number of mulberry trees; I suppose they 

 are practically unlimited, as they grow in the mountain districts. 

 It is also impossible to learn the cost of the raw material. 



The machinery generally used for making paper is most prim- 

 itive. Labor is very cheap. I am informed that many families 



