Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-11-13
Paper From Palm Fiber.

OeVeu Vdrl6CeS OF pdlIuS arc 1Ouuu III
the South Atlantic and Gulf States, and
two others on the Pacific coast. Those
particularly utilized for the manufacture
of paper by company recently form
ed, are the saw palm, the cabbage palm
and the dwarf palmetto. These, on ac-
count of their abundance and general
distribution, are more readily attain
able than most of the others, which,
however, may be made available when
desired. They are Unfortunately
termed palms and palnlettoes, In differ
ent localities. The palms or palmet-
toes, as is well known, are Indigenous
to the South Atlantic and Gulf States,
growing in many localities in such
abundance as to become q nuisance.
The palm region of the Atlantic
and Gulf States, not including Texas, is
estimated to cover over 100,000,000
acres, or more than 10000 square
miles, and more than half the area of
the six States, South Carolina, Georgia,
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and LOU
isiana, where the principal growth of
palm occurs. The greater portion OF
this region is readily accessible by wat
En-, thus involving little expense for
handling and transportation of the
palm, which can be freed from its re-
fuse portions on the spot, leaving
freight to be paid on only so much OF
it as is valuable for paper making; it
can also be pulped on the spot. The
palm produced on comparatively
small portion of this region is, because of
its abundance and rapid growth, amply
sufficient to supply paper for the world
"a small part, even, OF that growing
in the single State Of Florida would do
this, and It is stated that no known ma
terial at all approaching American palm
in value or applicability for making pa
per of good quality can be produced at
anything like so small cost.
Numerous experiments and tests, ex-
tending over series of years, made by
skilled practical paper-makers, aided by
scientific experts and men of expert
ence in printing, engraving, Autograph
ing, and other judges of good paper,
are said to corroborate the statement
that this hitherto waste material posses
ses in very high degree all the
qualities requisite for the production of
frst-class paper of every grade, from
the coarsest wrapping to the finest bank
note and proof plate paper, including
parchment bank note, proof plate, pho
tograph, drawing, ledger, writing,
book, news and tissue paper. 1t is said
to be, in fact, well adapted to all, equal
ing the fiber of linen in fneness and
tenacity, and surprising it in many
qualities which are saSs generss, OF pecu-
Liar to itself, while its cost is much less.
Its superiority is, however, declared to
be more particularly pronounced in the
finer grades of paper, such as proof,
bank note, and bond. This superiority
is attributed to the peculiar structure Of
its fibers, and other qualities which give
it distinctive characteristics. The pa
per made from this material is attrac-
tive in appearance, and experiment has
has shown that the fiber must be entire
ly destroyed to deprive it of its peculiar
lustre. The yield of useful paper stock
from the raw material exceeds that
from wood.
The raw material itself presents no
particular difficulty in working. 1t may
De treated the same as other material,
and can be used without the admiXture
of any other fiber. while its cost is only
that of the unskilled labor employed
in cutting and packing it and transpor-
tation, and the pulping and conversion
into paper cost 10 more than that OF Or
binary stock.