The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1906-07-05
COTTON STALKS
MAY BE USED TO @AKE GOOD
PRINTING PAPER.
Latest and Host Interesting 4nVen.
ton to Iake Paper From
Useless Product. ~ :.

t40n 70 I4sAe 6SpeA GAo1 -
Useless Product. 80 ;, !,
The manufacture Of paper from the
fiber OF the cotton stalk is one Of the
latest and most interesting Inventions
of the new century, says HarVie Jor-
dac in Manufacturers Record. For
many years expert inventors have been
busilV engaged experimenting with
the cotton stalk, and now 1t appears
from recent developments that their
labors and expenditures Of money are
to be rewarded with signal and strik-
ing SUCCESS. Not only have these in.
vestigations passed the experimental
stage but they are rapidly being shap'
ed to be placed into practical opera
tion. 1t has been unquestionahly de-
monstrated that all grades of paper,
from the best form Of linen grade to
tho lowest, can be manufactured from
the cotton stalks. In addition to this,
variety of by. products, such as alco-
hol, nitrogen, material for gun cotton
and smokeless power, can also be Sc
cured in paying quantities. The time
Is not now far distant when paper
plants equipped with all modern ma.
chinerY and devices for making paper
will be built and placed In operation
throughout the cotton. growing states
Of the South. The establishment OF
these mills for the manufacture Of pa
per from cotton stalks will at once de.
velop q new industry Of quite enor-
NOUS proportions of a waste product
which at the present time has com.
paratiVe little or no value. 1t will
prove the entering wedge Of checking
the present increasing cost of paper,
which is becoming such a burden
upon the newspaper industry OF the
country.
It is estimated that on an acre Of
land producing a bale Of cotton at
least one ton Of stalks can be gather
ed. Upon this basis OF calculation
this new industry can annually depend
upon from 10000 900 to $4,000, 900
tons of raw material. This will not
only furnish necessary supplies to meet
all home demands, but also permit OF
the export Of pulp or finished pro-
ducts to foreign countries. At the
present time there is approximately
e2S7, 600, 900 invested in paper mills
In the United States, with but few
plants located In the South. The bulk
of the material going into the manu-.
facture of paper at the present time
is spruce pine, and which is annually
becoming more expensive in the deple'
tion OF the forests and the high prices
which such timber Commands In the
market for other uses. The utiliza-
tion of q waste product such as he
cotton stalk, manufactured into COM
mercial paper, will be boon OF inesti.
matable value to the whole country.
Tae practical effect Of this new In:
vention will be to increase the present
value of the South's cotton crop near
ly slOO, 900, 900 annually. The grow
ers will be amply paid for the expense
of removing the stalks from their
fields and delivery to the paper plants
and in addition thareto receive q pro-
fit on this product CT their labor. In
the southwestern section OF the cotton
belt the new industry will especially
be Of value and q blessing. With the
removal Of the cotton stalks from the
fields In the early fall the death knell
of the boil. weevil will be sounded and
It's present devastating influences re-
duced to a minimum. So that from
every standpoint the speedy develop
ment and ex5ansion Of this new indus
try will be welcomed in all sections OF
the cotton belt. Paper manufactured
from the cotton stalk Is OF the strong
est texture and softest finish. IL is
reported that several plants will be
erected during the next few months
In certain sections of toe South which
will be In full operation by January l,
1907.