Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-10-27
ARIs. MAINE, TUESDAY. OCTOBER II, 1896.
The REIGN OF WOOD PULP.

NOtning OF recent years mas given
greater Incentive to the exercise Of the
forester's art than the discovery OF the
method of making paper out Of wood
pulp. Wood pulp to-day supplies 10000
weekly and daily periodicals with paper,
and each year the number increases from
ten to twenty per cent, making the de-
mand upon the spruce forests so great IS
to threaten their extinction unless intel
ligent efforts are made to preserve them.
In Germany, where the manufacture
Of wood pulp Is even greater than In
this country. the forester's art Is exer-
cised so that the forests steadily keep up
the supply. 1t Is to initiate this method
Of using, but not abusing the natural
spruce forests here that paper makers
are trying to buy up the large areas OF
woodland covered by these trees.
In the arts and trades new uses are
found for paper every year, so that the
demand Increases as fast as the produc-
ton. The records at the patent office
in Washington show an astonishing
number Of uses to which paper Is put,
and applications are made for other queer
inventions that never see the light OF
day. Cigar boxes are made OF paper ana
Favored with cedar oil TO give the i'm
preston that they are manufactured of
cedar. Medals are pressed out OF paper
and then coated with preparation TO
make them resemble either bronze or
silver, similarly cornices, panels and
friezes are nodded out Of the paper pulp,
and both in interior and exterior archi-
tectural effects are obtained at a relative
ly low cost.
The manufacture of car wheels out OF
paper Is an old story; it ia probably the
good results obtained with them that
suggested the idea Of coating iron-clad
men-of-war with paper. Inventors are
now working on the problem OF finding
a preparation either of compressed paper
or Of compressed ramie that Will form A
bullet-proof coating for war vessels.
The car wheels and steam pipes made OF
paper admit OF being nodded aud formed
10 suit any purpose, and il Is suggested
that by using paper for coating armor-
plate the surface could be formed like
tish-scales, with tiny, overlapping
plates. The surface could be made rough
or smooth, and besides giving more
strength TO the steel armor the paper
coating would protect the metal from
corrosion.
Another queer use 10 which paper
promises 10 be put Is In the manufacture
OF telegraph poles. The paper poles are
hollow. and are made from paper pulp,
and then coated with sillcate OF potash
TO preserve them. Electric conduits In
successful use are made out OF paper
pulp. and also steam and water pipes OF
great strength and durability. Paper
roofing material is so common that II Is
unnecessary 10 mention 1t, and also pals,
basins and pans. Undertakers are using
cheap collins pressed out Of paper pulp.
When polished and stained such collins
are almost as handsome as those Of wood.
They last longer in the ground than eof-
fins of wood or metal, and can be her
metically sealed better than the heavy
metal cofiins.
Paper boats are generally looked upon
as playthings for very small children, but
large. commodious, stsunch boats are
manufactured out Of paper pulp. They
can resist the water, and are lighter than
wooden or metal boats. Lead pencils
and cigar holders made Of paper are In
daily use, and even carpets and mat
tresses are manufactured in limited
way out of paper. The mattresses are
made Of paper pulp and ordinary sponge,
with springs imbedded iu the compost
ton. Artificial straws for drinking iced
beverages, which are superior TO the
natural straws, are being placed on the
market. and so is peculiar paper for
printing bank notes.-Maine Farmer.