The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-04-24
LOCAL MATTERS.

FRANKLIN PAPER MnL.--We are graft.
fed TO perceive that the "Belvidere Manufacturing
Company" In this city, OF which our senterprieing
townsman Wm s. BEERS Esq, Is President have
lately introduced the "Fourdrinern Paper machine
into their mill, and are now making an article of
Printing Paper, inferior to none other manutactur.
ed. either North or South. This new machine Ia
certainly great Improvement on the old ones that
have been IN use for the past ten years, and will
give the "Belvdere Manufacturing Company"
decided advantage over all competitors who have
not availed themselves OF the advantages afforded
by the invention Of the Messsrs Fourdrinier.
In short visit to the "Frankln Min,n on Thurs
day, by the politeness Of the President we had an
opportunity OF witnessing this new machinery at
Work, ana were struck with the facility with which
II made clear, even, snow.white paper out OF a
mass OF dirty, colored rags, that seemed to have
been used tor all purposes. And as brief descrip-
uon OF the m0dHs operdadi, may not be uninterest-
ing 10 the reader, though very &C ;urate we Sub
join it
The rags are first washed and then run through
what is termed 'picker," which tears them into
small bits and prepares them for another process.
They are then placed into the engines" filled with
water AMI subj ected to the action OF revolving cy
finders, upon The surface of each OF which are
placed number of sharp teeth or blades
ranged as to against another set of teeth under
the cylinders. The revolutions of these cylinders
keep the rags constantly exposed to the action of
the blades or teeth, until infinitely divided and re.
duced to thin pulp, which operation requires
some seven or eight hours. During this process
certain quantity of chloride of lime is mixed tn
with the rags to destroy all coors and bleach them
perfectly white. Alter this is perfected, the pulp"
which ia composed of small particles, mixed with
water, is transferred to large vat, and from this
is conveyed to the "Fourdriniering Machine" when
it is poured in one continuous stream upon
endless web OF cause wire, which extends around
two revolving cylinders, and by force of the
chine is keptin continual motion forwards, at the
same time having tremulous or vibrating mo-
ton.
Thus the 'pulp" is formed into large sheet,
which is taken from the wire web by revolving
cylinder covered with flannel, and alter being
properly compressed between other cylinders, is
passed over steam cylinder, which dries il, and
then TO receiving cylinder, around which it is
wound until ready to be shaped and fashioned to
suit the demands for it, The endless sheet on the
receiving cylinder is just double the width the pa
per is intended to be, and when about being pre-
pared for market, is wound off by another cylinder
revolving in an opposite direction in the centre OF
which is placed blade which splits the sheet it
passes from the receiver to the last cylinder, by
which it is conducted to the kEle, cut in proper
lengths, and then taken off by two young ladies
who receive and straighten it ready for folding
and roaming. The process is certainly very
pretty as well expeditions one. and worth
seeing by all who have any desire to know how pa
per is manufactured from rags, straw, hemp, etc.
Our object in noticing this invaluable improve
ment ct the Franklin Mill" is 70 call attention to
the fact that Printing Paper Of very superior
quality, is now being made in Richmond, and to
urge the Printers of Virginia and the South to give
the ''Belvidere Company" call before purchasing
at the North. If they make good paper
here as they can elsewhere, and we believe they
cam now that they have new and splendid machi-
merry, why send elsewhere to get supplies when
they can be had at your own doorsl
We enquired of the President what amount OF
paper the mill could make in day, and was aston
ished at the answer 1.-TWO tons" Ifthis be 80, and
we satisfied that it is, it seems to that Rich
mond can afford to supply all her sister cities with
blank paper, and yet have enough left for her own
purposes.
In the manufacture of brown paper this mill
stands very high judging from the fact that it re-
ceved medal at the Worlds Fair for specimen
OF superior envelope paper. 1t is now making
cheap article OF wrapping paper, that cannot be
surpassed in quality and price.
With all the improvements ofthe age to facilitate
its operations, and with the very best workmen that
money can command, we can see no reason why
this company should not turn out as good paper as
any other establishment in the Union; and with
such managers as it now has, we feel assured that
its business will soon become very profitable, and
its manufactures sought for throughout the South
Let our own people sustain home manufactures, if
they wish to become independent OF the North in all
things.