T H E CIV BAREVIEW 27 



MANUFACTURE OF PAPER AT PRESTON 



In conjunction with the making of sugar from cane at Preston another important industry 

 is being conducted successfully in the manufacture of wrapping-paper from the by-product of 

 sugar-cane, bagasse or pulp. The mill has now Ijeen in operation for a period of ten months, and in 

 the earlier stages was only operated as an experiment. The work was started in connection 

 with and under the direction of the Wisconsin Universitj^ Laboratories where the original tests 

 and experimental work was carried on, and the plant at Preston is now in charge of the graduates 

 of this institution. A staff of 25 men is now employed in the mill and four tons of paper is the 

 daily output. The facilities and machinery at present provide only for the manufacture of sev- 

 eral grades and weights of wrapping paper. Arrangements are now under way and the required 

 machinery will be added for the manufacture of all grades of paper. The pulp runs about two 

 tons to one of paper 



The l)uildings are of a sheet metal construction and are l:)uilt fireproof. In the main building 

 shown herewith thi*ee elevations of the floors are used in transferring the pulp to paper. The 

 process of manufacture follows: 



The bagasse is carried from the sugar mill in cars to the paper mill, and then conveyed 

 to the top floor of the paper factory; from here it is shovelled to the floor below into 

 ''digester' tanks where it is digested or boiled by live steam. The only difference notice- 

 able to a layman in the manufacture of bagasse paper and wood pulp paper is the process 

 of digestion or boiling in order to soften the stock to the desired point at which it can be 

 beaten, and this digesting takes the place of grinding up the wood. The bagasse is transferred 

 from the digesters to beaters and beaten into pulp, when chloride of lime is added to the pulp 

 in the beaters (of which there are foiu"), and when beaten to a sufficient consistency is dropped 

 in pipes to retaining tanks on the floor below. From the retaining tanks the pulp is carried 

 to the paper mill or machine where a quantity of water is added to it to get the thin 

 solution. This thin solution is run over a wire screen and all the water is extracted by 

 means of suction. The paper is then dried on the usual steam driuns of a paper mill (steam 

 di'ums sho\\'n in cut.) 



Three weights of wrapping paper are manufactured, of which the highest is 80 lbs. In the 

 case of making paper from cane bagasse the necessary grinding is done at the sugar mill in 

 the production of sugar, which eliminates the process of manufacture at the paper mill. 



The paper obtained from cane pulp is equal to, if not slightly better, than the paper 

 manufactures from imported ki'aft stock, and it can be produced and marketed at a price con- 

 siderably lower than' that quoted for kraft paper. 



Samples of paper show various colors and a considerable degree of strength. The output 

 is sold in Cuba for local consumption. 



The United Fruit Company have constructed very comfortable quarters for the occupancy 

 of the men in charge of the making of paper at Preston. The main building is like a college 

 club and contains small library, gymnasium, etc., and is furnished in keeping with the class of 

 its occupants, and the company is making every effort to make its employees at home and 

 comfortable. The grounds are kept in beautiful condition and overlook the bay of Nipe and 

 include good grass tennis courts, and are modeled after the Cuban fashion with the usual gar- 

 dens, fountains, etc. Stables with good riding ponies are also among the attractions. 



EXPORTS OF JEWELRY FROM U. S. TO CUBA 



Fiscal year ending June 30 9 months 



Mar. 31, 

 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 



Cuba $15,387 $18,724 $15,927 $14,139 $16,370 $9,735 



