The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-15
ANOTHER PAPER STOCK

Once again, as is learned from an ar
ticle in a recent issue of the Los An
geles Times, there is promise of a new
material from which it will be possible
to manufacture white paper. This is
what is known as "alfa grass which
grows plentifully in certain African des-
erts and of which the noted traveller.
Frank G. Carpenter, thus writes from
a point in the great Sahara desert:
ct have been passing through a great
plain of yellow, sandy soil, covered
here and there with stones and spotted
everywhere with punches of dry alta
grass.
1.-THE alta was growing right in the
sands. 1t is long, wtry grass, which
is gathered by the thousands of tons
and shipped to Europe for the making
of paper. 1t is cut by the Arabs. and
there are companies with immense cap
ital which handle it. 1t grows to the
height of my waist, in punches, some
of which are not bigger than ones fist.
while others sprout out of mounds
which would fill half bushel measure
1t looks tough and dry, but nevertheless
large f1ocks of sheep, goats and camels
feed upon it,
This brief statement gives promise of
what may be hoped for, and even ex-
pected in the not distant future. The
Immediate Importance of this discovery
lies in the fact that it is thought, or
believed, rather, that the alta grass will
grow and thrive on the arid lands of
california, and steps have already been
taken to give 1t fair test. For this
purpose three sacks of seed, imported
from Africa by the federal department
OF agriculture, have been received at
Los Angeles, and these seed will be
planted and carefully attended, so that
1t may be decided by actual tests if
the deserts and the climate of south
ern california are adapted to the pro-
fitable growth of the African plant In
addition to what Mr.. Carpenter says,
the Los Angeles Times adds:
The leaves of the alta grass are
from IL inches to two feet in length.
They have the popularity of breaking
| off at the base, so that they are gath
| after which they are sorted according
to their color and length, and tied in
bundles for expectation. About 81, 000,-
| 600 worth of the grass is exported an
nually from Algeria, and the constant
| ly increasing shortage of raw material
| for the manufacture of paper makes a
| permanent field for the crop.
Mr.. Conrad is certain that on the
| higher lands of the Coachella and I'M
! perial valleys, at present non-irrigable
the alta grass will prove a profitable
| crop. He believes that the cost of
| gathering the grass-which is plucked
! by hand in the African desert-will be
greatly lessened. If it proves a good
| desert crop here, by the invention of
| labor-savfng machinery
1t Is easy to see what this means
to the paper makers and consumers of
| the future if all that is claimed and
hoped for 1t shall be verified. The
seed received at Los Angeles are to be
| planted and tested at three different
locations. so that the alta may have a
| fair trial and If it succeeds in any
or all the localities there will he No
reason to doubt its Importance Much
of the arid portions OF California is
not, or has not been, adapted to cult
walton Of any kind, but II. this grass
succeeds it will not only add profit