Paper-Making
an account of paper-making from its earliest
known record down to the present time by
J.W. Butler Paper Company 1901
the mass of rags is tumbled about in its scalding bath of steam-
heated limewater, or “milk of lime," the coloring and glutinous
matters, as well as all other impurities, are loosened from the
fibers, which are in the end so cleansed and purified as to come
forth unstained and. of virgin purity. Having been sufficiently
boiled and digested, the mushy material, still looking dark and
forbidding, is emptied onto the floor below or into receptacles
placed directly beneath the boilers, where the color and dirt are
allowed to drain off. The mass is then conveyed to the “washers,"
great tub-like receptacles, which are shown among the
illustrations, and which are known as “Hollanders," from the fact
that these rag engines were invented in Holland, about the year
1750 A. D. They are oval-shaped tubs, about twenty feet long,
nine feet wide, and three feet high, varying somewhat according
to the conditions. Each tub is divided for two-thirds of its length
by an upright partition, or “mid-feather," as it is called, which
makes a narrow course around the vat. -On one side of the
partition the tub is raised in a half-circle, close to which revolves
diameter, and covered with knives; in
the bottom of the tub, and directly
under the revolving roll, is another set
of knives called a “bed-plate," which is
stationary, and against which the roll
can be lowered. But not to anticipate.
When the emptyings from the boiler
have been thrown into the "washer" a
continuous stream of water is turned in
at one end, the knife-roll having been
adjusted so as to open up the rags as
they are set in motion. These then
begin a lively chase around the edge of
the vat, through the racecourse formed
by the "mid-feather," and under the
rag-opening knives, where the water is
given a chance to wash out all
impurities; then on up the incline over
the "back fall," so-called from the
elevation in the tub. A cylinder of wire
cloth, partly immersed in the moving
mass, holds back the now rapidly
through an escape-spout. The heavy particles of dirt settle into what is termed a "sand-trap" at the bottom of the tub.
As the water clears, the roll is lowered closer and closer to the bottom of the bed-plate, in order to open up the fibers
more thoroughly for the free circulation of the water among them. When the several agencies of the "washer" have
accomplished their purpose, and the water runs clear and unsullied, a bleaching material is put into the mass, which in
the course of from two to six hours becomes as white as milk. The dirty off scourings of all ragdom, first seen in the
original bales, and gathered from the four quarters of the globe, have endured many buffetings, many bruisings and
tribulations, and having been washed come forth pure, sweet, and clean. From the washers the rags are precipitated
through a trap into drainers, which are chambers made of stone and brick, with a false bottom, through which the
water is allowed to drain. This rag pulp, now called half stock, is kept in this receptacle until the water and liquor are
thoroughly drained off, when it becomes a white and compact mass of fibers.