The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-11-11
PAPER PLANT
USES STALKS
By-prOduct of Corn Crop
Mixed With Straw al Fac
tory in lama, Iowa

Tama, lathe first paper CONNER
cially manufactured from cornstalks
in Iowa has been made here.
1t means that another advance has
heen scored in the campaign in the
corn belt to utilize one of the piia.
cipal byproducts Of corn in making
everyday necessities on CONNER
cial basis. Previously cOrnstalk paper
has been made in the laboratory Of
Prof. Q. Il. Sweeney, head of chemical
engineering at Iowa State college, 1T
Amcs.
Under supervision Of Professor
s."4eney and officials Of the j. Il.
Cherry Company paper mill here Il
lew .ays asO .nt fArs. cOrnstaik paper
manufacturing in Il commercial plant
was tried out.
Cornstalks and Straw Used
4 small quantity of paper was made,
using about 20 per cent cOrnstalks
and so per cent straw. These mate
rails combined apparently worked up
in Il satisfactory manner and made
"A good grade Of finished product.
The paper resulting from the use
of part cornstalks is cardboard,
heavier than what is commonly called
paper, and is about the weight of IN
cggcase flat. The Cherry company
tuiHs WI IuIEe JuitutlLicS u ckScuSe
fiat flats hand and file filters. fer which the straw
Must Wash Out Pith
The first cornstalks were tried in
the local plant for the sake Of cxpcr-
imcnt. One Of the problems in using
them is elimination Of the pith, the
tough, white substance in the center
of the cornstalk. The pith appeared
to have been completely washed out
in the processes here in the recent
experiment, those who observed the
test said.
1t is expected that in short lime
attempts will be made here to make
paper with n larger quantity of
cOrnstalks.
Professor Sweeney had tried this
by-product of the farm in his labor
atory as 4 material for paper manu-
facturc. getting surprisingly good
grade Of finished product---almos t
clear enough to be used as ncwsprint.
In transferring his operations to 4
mill, the expense item must be given
more serious consideration. He is re-
ported to bic working now ut Ames
on some Of tho problems that come
up III making the commercial utiliza-
tion of cornstalks an economical
thing and one that would be profit
able.
No Report On Cost
One OF tho questions is said to be
whether chemicals may be employed
to greater advantage to cheaper and
quicken the process Of cleansing and
reducing the fibrous stalks and con-
vcrting them into pulp. No accounts
have been made By officials Of the
company here regarding the cost Of
the process when cOrnstalks arc used
rs compared with straw.
In making paper either from straw
or cornstalks, the raw material first
must be cooked under high steam
pressure in huge revolving 'sbcatcrs'
with solution Of limewntcr. The
right amount Of limcwatcr to use with
cornstalks in this work is something
to be determined.
Another thing that Swccny is thinks
irg about Is the source Of supplics
when cornstalk paper making actual
IF becomes common in the cornbeIt
There will be plenty Of stalks. bu
these will have to be marketed ii
suitable condition and at price which
will allow factories to use them.
The Ames professor has visions o.
the middle Vests agriculture being
revolutionized within the next twenty