On the Mannj-acture oj Faiper from Molinia coerulea. 143 



utilized by the paper maker. The average sample, No. 6, was 

 much drier than No. 3, to begin with, and has given, in my opinion, 

 a very satisfactory result. 



So far as I have been able to judge from the laboratory experi- 

 ment, the grass promises well ; much better, indeed, than my first 

 acquaintance with it in the raw state led me to expect. 



It improves by boiling both in strength and flexibility ; is easily 

 boiled with from 10 to 12 lb. 60 per cent, caustic soda per cwt., 

 and bleaches to a good colour with very little loss in the process, 

 with a comparatively small per centage of bleaching powder. 

 Samples No. 7 and 8. — The analytical results speak for them- 

 selves. No. 7 contains a much larger amount of fibre, and a 

 stronger fibre than No. 8. The ash is not at all excessive ; the 

 moisture is at a minimum, but the silica present is considerable, 

 and judging from the small scale experiments this grass would 

 take about 14 lbs. 60 per cent, caustic soda per cwt. to boil, and 

 I am confident it would bleach readily with a small quantity of 

 chloride of lime. It forms a strong flexible fibre. No. 8 contains 

 generally speaking only one-half of the quantities of gum, resin, 

 &c., that the former sample had, while it has a much lower ash 

 and silica. 



Notwithstanding the hand drying before the fire, and the 

 apparent dryness of the grass to the touch, there is a large amount 

 of moisture present, about double that usually found in Esparto. 

 The fibre is considerably higher than in any previous sample, 

 while the chlorophyll or green colouring matter is almost absent. 

 The fibre is easily bleached, and is a much better sample in every 

 way than the best of those reported on in December, 1880. 



Sample No. 7 referred to by Mr. Arnott is what, perhaps, 

 might be named Giant Melic Grass ; it was grown in the Trinity 

 College Botanical Gardens, and No. 8 was grown at Tyaquin, but 

 collected in January last. The analysis of No. 7 indicates that 

 by selection it will be possible to improve the fibre-producing 

 quality of the grass, and both Nos. 7 and 8 show that the proper 

 time to harvest the grass is in late autumn or early winter, as by 

 waiting until then not only is the fibre increased in quantity, 

 but the chlorophyll which causes trouble in bleaching is nearly 

 eliminated. 



There is now no question as to the value of the grass as a 

 paper making material, and the qnly question to be solved is as 



