Page:Paper and Its Uses.djvu/24

12 siliceous and waxy substances taken up by the growing plant are dissolved, the dirty water is run out, small quantities of clean water let in to wash out as much soda as possible. Most of the soda is recovered, but that process, though of great importance to the paper-maker, need not be treated here. The washed esparto is conveyed to the breaking engine for treatment similar

to that given to rags, being washed, broken, and bleached. In many mills the half-stuff is carried over strainers, and by the use of the presse-pate machine (a paper-making machine with only a "wet end") made into sheets. The half-stuff in sheets is filled into trucks and stored or taken direct to the beaters. Owing to the small dimensions of esparto the reduction to the fibrous state is easily accomplished, and very little beating is necessary.