The statistics concerning the trade in raw materials for paper-making are not published in a detailed form, all the various kinds of fibre, &c., being grouped under two heads, viz. rags (linen and cotton), and esparto (which embraces other fibres, and probably wood pulps). The figures for recent years are shown in the accompanying tables:—

But a portion of these imports was exported again, the figures being as follows:—

The relative proportions of raw material furnished by the various countries in 1884 (the latest available return) are shown in the subjoined tables:—

A considerable export of raw material for paper-making also takes place from British shores, the figures, embracing rags and other materials, for 1884 being as below:—

• (a) Exports of home produced rags and other paper-making materials in 1884:

  To	Tons.	£
  United States	59,222	550,924
  Holland	649	2,703
  British America	390	4,255
  Germany	262	1,673
  Other countries	401	3,348
  	60,924	562,903

• (b) Exports of foreign produced ditto in 1884:

  (i.) Linen and cotton rags.
  To	Tons.	£
  United States	14,191	167,801
  Other countries	514	5,519
  	14,705	173,320
  (ii.) Esparto and other fibres.
  To	Tons.	£
  All countries	140	701
  (iii.) Pulps and other materials.
  To	Tons.	£
  United States	11,290	97,620
  Other countries	363	3,023
  	11,653	100,643

Our imports of “rags and other paper-making materials” from Norway increased from 23,483 tons, value 138,098l., in 1880, to 48,199 tons, 279,679l., in 1884, mainly owing to the development of the wood-pulp industry. Later figures will probably show a similar increment. The same articles from Denmark grew from 359 tons, 3406l., in 1880, to 1403 tons, 16,352l., from the same cause. German statistics have even a stronger upward tendency: 11,587 tons, 196,051l., in 1880, against 196,051 tons, 331,591l., in 1884. Our receipts of esparto from Algeria show an advance, but not a marked one, being 60,612 tons, 421,343l., in 1880, and 88,357 tons, 515,232l., in 1884. But shipments of the same fibre from Spain show a decline from 51,413 tons, 454,713l., in 1880, to 40,159 tons, 314,927l., in 1884; and from Morocco they have fallen away from 2879 tons, 18,231l., in 1880, to 260 tons, 1290l., in 1884; while the figures relating to Tunis and Tripoli also show a disposition to recede, though not at such a rapid rate.

The wood-pulp industry of Norway for the year 1886 shows a very large increase upon the figures of a few years back, albeit prices have ruled very low. This latter circumstance is attributed, not so much to over-production, as to excessive competition among the sellers of this article. The quantity exported during the year 1886 is about 120,000 tons; in the year 1885 it was 107,651 tons; 1884, 88,220 tons; 1883, 70,464 tons; 1882, 58,884 tons; 1881, 42,194 tons; 1880, 26,055 tons. Several of the old works have extended their production during the past year, and several new establishments are in the course of erection, so the production this year may probably be put at 150,000 tons wood pulp with 50 per cent. water. The greatest part of the Norwegian wood pulp is exported to England, France, and Belgium; in Russia, the increase in the duty has stopped business, and the same can almost be said of Germany. America, too, has drawn part of her supply from Norway, but this trade is not expected to continue. {225}