mpete. There seems to be
little doubt that the present wood supply can not withstand indefinitely
the demands placed upon it, and with increased scarcity economy in the
use of wood will become imperative. This effect is already apparent in
many wood-using industries, and although the paper industry consumes
only about 3 per cent of the total forest cut, it is probable that it
will be affected through this economy. Our forests are being cut three
times as fast as they grow, and as wood becomes more expensive proper
growing and reforesting will receive more attention. Thus, naturally, a
balance will be established between production and consumption, but as
this condition approaches its limiting values the price of wood may rise
to such levels that there will be a demand for other raw materials.

The use of waste paper in conjunction with chemical wood pulp has
increased to enormous proportions, and it is probable that the increase
will continue. Although it is a cheaper raw material than wood, it is
reasonable to suppose that as the wood supply decreases and the price of
wood pulp advances, the price of waste paper will advance somewhat
proportionately.

In view of these conditions it is advisable to investigate the
paper-making value of the more promising plant materials before a
critical situation arises. To be of substantial value the investigations
should include not only a determination of the quality and quantity of
pulp and paper which the material is capable of producing, but should
embrace a consideration of such relevant factors as agricultural
conditions, farm practice, assembling conditions, transportation, and
probable future supply.

Certain cultivated plants seem particularly promising, because in the
harvesting of the regular crop that portion which might be utilized for
paper manufacture necessarily is either wholly or partially assembled.
To this class of plants belong corn, broom corn, sorghum, sugar cane,
bagasse, flax, hemp, and the cereal straws.[1]

[Footnote 1: For descriptions of investigations of some of these crops,
see the list of publications at the end of this bulletin.]

It is generally conceded that the employment of different raw materials
would probably yield products of a somewhat different quality than those
now prevailing in the markets, but the qualities of papers and the
public demands are so diversified and numerous that this possible
objection should not be serious. Ten years