This experiment was followed up by more practical investigations 
with half a hundred weight sample, the experiments being carried 
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 
85 per cent Cellulose, or 46 lbs. of bleached pulp containing 
98 per cent Cellulose.” 
“ We may note the following points in regard 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 
papers and journals. It takes a good surface under the calendar 
which imparts to it a glossy feel and appearance. On account of 
the 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 
papers. When used in conjunction with rags by the addition of 20 
per cent medium quality linen rag (commercial price about £16 per 
ton) a high class writing paper can be produced, which felts into a 
hard and compact paper and after animal sizing will stand the 
severest ink test. 
We should not recommend manufacturing paper from this fibre, 
in the unbleached state, as we think it is too good for the purpose, and 
also it is easily bleached to a full white. As pulp it will no doubt 
find a ready market. In Australia it will be valuable and almost 
certain to command extensive consumption by paper makers iiW 
Melbourne who at present are unable to produce high class papers 
for want of a suitable raw material and the close proximity of 
Johore ought to reduce freight to a minimum. We have no 
hesitation in saying that at present ruling prices for half stuffs the 
unbleached would readily command in Melbourne market £1 1 to 
^13 per ton, and the value of the bleached sample would be from 
£ 1 S to ,£17 per ton. ‘(This it will be remembered was written in 
1891, so that some alteration in prices may be expected.) ’ When 
viewed under the microscope the Lalang fibres resembles those of 
Esparto but they are somewhat longer, larger in diameter and 
thinner walled; moreover, the Lalang contains more variety of fibres 
which we believe will add greatly to its paper making qualities. 
As to the comparative value of the Lalang and Esparto grass 
for paper making purposes we note that the Lalang yields 46 per 
cent of pure Cellulose, as against about 48 per cent for the highest 
