The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-01-26
Discovery OF a NEW STOCK Tor Paper.

Discovery OF n New Stock for Paper,
If we are to credit the papers which
reach us by the last English mails, a
substance has at last been discovered
which will take the place of cotton
and rags in the manufacture of paper.
1t is found in the Southern provinces
of Spain, and is known as "esparto
grass. The London Economist speaks
of this discovery as follows:
The important position which the
lately discovered article Of petroleum
has rapidly taken in commerce is very
interesting in itself, as suggesting
how quickly the discovery of any new
principle of motion would exercise
an important influence on the pre-
sent state of our industry. Another
discovery has lately been made,
which though of less Importance than
that of petroleum, is still so interest
ing in character, and so useful as
regards an important article of manu-
1acture, that we think our readers viii
be glad to receive the following in
formation on the subject.
We allude to the discovery lately
made of the applicability of tn e
Atocha, or, as it is called in Spain,
''esparto," to the manufacture of
paper. Mr. Lloyd, of the Waltham-
stow Paper Mills, is stated to have
had great share in the merit of this
discovery; and Mr.. Mark, the British
Consul at Malaga, has drawn up an
interesting report on this subject,
which has lately been made public in
the commercial reports. This grass
IS the produce of waste lands-it re-
quires no expense in cultivation and
little in collecting. 1t is best propa-
gated from the roots and not from
seed. It is perennial, and propagates
of itself, and improves by regular
yearly gathering, if plucked with
sufficient care. Mr.. Mark has de-
voted great care in his endeavors to
ascertain the climate and soil which
are favorable to the development IF
the plant; and it appears that the
Atocha requires u decidedly hot and
dry climate; that it grows equally
we'll i'll the plains and in the noun
talns to o moderate elevation, and
that as regards soil it fiourishes both
IN calcareous and argilaceous soils, or
when these soils arc blended in the
form of mari.
The greatest quantity is shipped
from the provinces of Almeria and
Marcia; but it is found, though in
less abundance, in all the Southern
provinces of Spain. It is also said
to be plentiful in some parts of the
opposite coast of Africa, and ship
ments are made from Oran to Eng
land. Prior to the discovery of its
being made available for the manu-
facture of paper, the esparto had
been used in Spain as fuel, in the
manufacture of ropes for mining and
rigging, and for making baskets and
mating.
But the discovery of the valuable
properties Of the grass has made a
complete revolution in the districts
where it grows Fortunes have been
realized by individuals who were the
proprietors of the land which pro-
duces it. The price has more than
doubled, and is now estimated by Mr..
Mark at "a Is. per English ton on
board. The greater part of the ex-
ports have, as yet, been directed to
England, where, in the brief space of
three or four years, the article has
become requisite of the highest i'm
portance, 160,0 tons having been,
as it is said, imported into England
In that period; and Mr.. Mark esti-
mates the present rate of annual ex-
port at 1000 TONS Mr.. Mark esti-
mates that, even at its present en-
hanced price, the Spanish grass will
take place with cotton, hemp and
wool, as one of the staple and essen
tial bases OF manufacturing industry;
and if this anticipation should be
realized, in addition to the valuable
resource which itseems likely to prove
to our paper manufacturers, it vii.
form an important element in trade
between this country and Spain.
This is matter of peculiar impor-
tance to us in this country, in view of
the enormous price of paper Why
may not this "esparto grass" be
naturalized at the South, where the
climate and soil correspond with that
of Southern Spain? This is matter
worth investigating.
Nes York Ecening Post.
LITERATURE IN THE SOUTH.-The
Atlanta (Georgia) Ne,c Era says: The
1ic,Oci{io,, Il fo wool