Timbers. _ 100 [Feb. 1007. 



In the matter of general cost of good bleaching pulp, of course, local condi- 

 tions here, as in the case of mechanical pulp, have a considerable influence ; but I 

 am told that good bleaching pulp may be produced at a cost net (including 

 everything, with the exception of interest and depreciation) at about the following 

 figures. In Norway, at modern mills, about £6 per ton at the mill ; unbleaching 

 qualities would probably cost about 10s. per ton less. In Sweden the cost varies 

 considerably, but about £5 may be stated for " news " pulp, and £5 10s. for bleaching ; 

 and this is, I think, a low estimate and can only be applied where the most favour- 

 able conditions are in operation. So far, practically, no success has attended the 

 Canadian pulp mills in the manufacture of chemical pulp, and this I attribute largely 

 to lack of knowledge of the technicality of sulphite-making, and through the lack 

 of organisation as to timber supply. Mills have been put down where timber could 

 be had before building for 2'50 dols. to 3 dols. per cord in limited quantities, but 

 owing to lack of .organisation and adequate security for the continuty of supply, 

 prices have been forced up in Canada to 5 and ft and even 7 dols. per cord, which is 

 higher than in Scandinavia. On the subject of capitalisation, a modern mill would 

 be doing well if capitalised so that every £5 of capital produced one long dry ton per 

 year ; but most mills are, I think, capitalised on a great deal higher basis than this, 

 and the fact is, of course, obvious. This, however, is much better than mechanical 

 making, as ten per cent net on the article will nearly always give more than 

 enough for a ten, percent dividend.— (Extracted from the Journal of the Society of 

 Arts, Vol. LIU.) 



(To be Continued.) 



