RACE JOURNAL. 
[January 1 , 1892 . 
PAPER-MAKING. 
Mexico.—A neiopaper-m eking material .—A large tree is found 
; in Mexico, but more especially in the State of Tabasco, known 
as the jolociu (eloeocarpus Americana), Majagua or poa tree. 
It grows with such rapidity that it is really dangerous to* 
fields left lying waste. Hitherto the fibre obtained from the 
bark of this tree has been used merely for making cordage, 
its power of resistance being equal to that of hemp. Oflate, 
however, trials have been made with this fibre by the paper 
factory at Belem, near Mexico, to use it in the manufacture of 
paper, and a successful resalt was obtained. In texture and 
colour “ jolociu ” paper greatly resembles parchment, and is 
far superior to the ordinary rag made papers. In all proba¬ 
bility jolociu will soon bo included in the raw materials used 
for making paper, and, thanks to its polish and fineness, it 
will doubtless some day play an important part in the manu¬ 
facture of tissues. On a space of 105 acres -29,080 trees can 
be cultivated. Each tree produces 5 lbs. of fibre, making a 
total of 145,430 lbs. which, sold at the rate of Oh 8s. per 
2000 lbs., bring in a sum of nearly 466?. The expenses in 
piastres (1 piastre = 3s. 2|r?.) are as follows : 
Piastres. ' 
Interest : 10 per cent on a capital of 2000 piastres ... 200 00 
1117 days’ work at 0 37.1 piastres ... ... ... ... 531-38 
Transport rate to San-Juan-Biutista (for exportation) 
at 4 piastres the ton.of 200J Spanish lbs. ... ... 2D0-8S 
F fs ’7 / A A ' Total 
Eeceipts ... 
Expenses ... 
1 , 022 - 
... 2,90S- 
... 1 , 022 -. 
Net Profit 
1 , 886 '- 
The cultivation is exceedingly simple, consisting^ merely u 
two or three weedings per annum. At the end of two yea- 
the tree is ripe for the market; it is cut dowu, the bark i 
taken off and steeped in water. After soaking for eight day 
a simple washing suffices to lay bare all the fibres .—Belgio 
Legation at Mexico. 
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