the stumps of the trees, and then placed in heaps, shaded from the
sun by laying the leaves over them. They will take several weeks to
ferment. To pursue this process in the immediate vicinity of the
establishment, would give rise to many inconveniences, in
consequence of the very large space of ground that would thereby be
occupied. Fermentation requires a mean temperature. A tree cut down
and exposed to the sun, would be nearly dry at about 30 deg.
centigrade, showing a result quite different to that which ought to
be obtained; whilst a tree placed on a wet soil, and open for the
fresh air to circulate between the plants, covered at the same time
with its own leaves, and shaded by the foliage of the plantation,
would be decomposed at the desired point of about 22 degrees. The
different modes of fermentation require the same proportions. If the
cut plants be covered with a thick layer of earth, they will not
decompose in six _months_; but if, on the contrary, they are covered
slightly, so that they may receive the freshness of the earth, and
the heat of the air, they will decompose in six _weeks_. It is the
same with the fermentation of alkaline baths. Baths at only _one_
degree will produce decomposition, whilst baths at _three_ degrees
will not produce any decomposition. 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