The stuff after being passed through the mill, or after fermentation, will be put into the chemical baths, or vats, or chemical liquor, and the persons in charge of the mill and boilers will do this work.  Fermentation may be advantageously used, in cases where the trees are grown at a distance from the establishment—­but, where they are in the immediate vicinity of the works, it will be best to crush them by the mill.  The principal saving that is occasioned by fermentation, will be found in the carriage, as the substance will be much reduced in weight by that process.  In an establishment where the manufacture is carried on upon a very large scale, trees cut down at a distance can be fermented, whilst those produced near the mill can be crushed.

Chemical Agents.—­For decomposing the gluten in the trees during the process of boiling, soda, carbonate of soda, and quick lime, are used.  The proportions herein given, are those requisite for making three tons of fibre per day, upon which scale the cost price of the fibre in a prepared state for bleaching, is subsequently calculated.  To make three tons of fibre per day, it is necessary to have four boilers of 800 gallons each, and give five boilings in a day, or 1,650 lbs. of nett fibre for each boiler, or 6,600 lbs. for the four boilers per day.  After having put into the boiler a sufficient quantity of water to cover the material, wait until the water begins to boil, and then add the chemical agents.

lbs. 
To the first boiling of a copper, put of soda 60
To the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th boilings of the same
copper, 15 lbs., each making 60
-----
120
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Therefore the four boilings will take of soda 480
The same liquid will serve for two other days, by
adding 15 lbs. to each fresh boiling, say, in the
whole, 40 lbs., or 600
It will consume in soda for nine tons made in three
days 1,080
Or 360 lbs. for three tons made in one day.

On the fourth day commence again in the same manner, and go on for the two remaining days as above, producing eighteen tons in the six days.  The quick lime is to be employed in each of the boilings, in the proportion of one-third less than the quantity of soda.  Crude soda may be used in the boilings, without previously discarbonising it, and quick lime reduced to lime water; but, to render the action of the chemical ingredients more quick and certain, it is better to discarbonise the soda before it is put into the boiler.  This may be done by preparing in a small separate boiler the quantity of liquid necessary for a day’s consumption, which is prepared in about an hour.  The carbonisation is effected in the following manner:—­

  Ten parts of salt of soda. }
  Six parts of quick lime. } In weight. 
  Seventy parts of water (never less.) }