38i 



t Cellulose 



ing points 



This experiment was followed up by more practical investigations 

 uth half a hundred weight sample, the experiments being earned 

 out in the model-plant of Messrs. Wm. JOYNSON & Son. St. Mary 

 Cray, and the following notes are taken from this report — " The fibre 

 was passed through a chaffcutter and cut into lengths of about 

 4 inches. The cut fibre was boiled in 5 times its weight of soda 

 liquor containing 15 per cent (of 77 per cent) caustic on the weight 

 of the grass in a cylindrical revolving boiler. At the end of the boiling 

 the fibre was found to have been completely resolved into pulp as is 

 obtained on boiling Esparto. The liquor contained 3 per cent of 

 free alkali on fibre, showing that the grass consumed only 12 per 

 cent. The unbleached pulp was then filled into a breaker, where it 

 was broken up and washed; it was then treated with 12 percent 

 bleaching powder for one hour subsequently in a steeping tank. 

 One hundred pounds grass yield 55 lbs. of unbleached pulp containing 

 " — cent Cellulose, or 46 lbs. of bleached pulp containing 



igard to the working of 

 the Lalang pulp : when used without admixture with other fibres it 

 makes a paper suitable for high class printings such as illustrated 

 i )a P/rs nnd journals. It takes a good surface under the calendar 

 which imparts to it a glossv feel and appearance. On account of 

 *e peculiar nature of its fibres it is capable of carrying a large 

 amount of mineral loading, sample 4 containing as much as 40 

 Per cent. It may also be used alone for medium class writing 

 ^Pers. When used in conjunction with rags by the addition of 20 

 Percent medium quality linen rag (commercial price about £16 per 

 f° n ) a high cla>s writing paper can be produced, which felts into a 

 •art and compact paper and after animal sizing will stand the 

 merest ink test. 



. We should not recommend manufacturing paper from this fibre 

 "! th e unbleached state as we think it is too good for the purpose, and 



:s ° 11 easilv bleached to a full white. As pulp it will no doubt 

 nn d a ready market. In Australia it will be valuable and almost 

 c jrtain to command extensive consumption by paper makers m 

 Melbourne who at present are unable to produce high class papers 

 °; want of a suitable raw material and the close proximity of 

 ^'ore ought to reduce freight to a minimum. We have no 

 SJtoon in saving that at present ruling prices for ha t stuffs the 

 ^bleached would readily command in Melbourne market £li to 

 per ton, and the value of the bleached sample would be from 

 i8oV°^ 7perton - '(™ s itwi11 *>e remembered was written in 



91, so that some alteration in prices may be expected.) When 

 p under the microscope the Lalang fibres resembles those of 

 >rto but they are somewhat longer, ferger in diameter and 

 walled; moreover, the Lalang contains more variety of fibres 



nch we believe will add greatly to its paper making qualities. 

 fo ' As to the comparative value of the Lalang and Esparto grass 

 c 0r Paper making purposes we note that the Lalang yields 46 per 

 CCnt <* pure Cellulose, as against about 48 per cent for the highest 



