The Marlin Democrat
Fifteenth Year   Number 17
Marlin, Texas, Thursday, June 23, 1904

NEW INDUSTRY IN TEXAS.
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Cotton Stalks and Hulls to be
Converted Into Paper.

     A new industry in Texas, that of converting cotton stalks and cotton seed hulls into paper, will probably be established in Houston by northern capitalists.
     If the enterprise is successful it will open a market for a product of the farm that has been going to waste and at the same time convert a few million boll weevils into paper along with the stalk. It is possible that the oil in the weevil will give the paper that glossy appearance necessary in some of the finer grades.
     The proposition is in the hands of R. Thomas, who represents foreign capital. Referring to the matter the Houston Chronicle says:
     "According to Mr. Thomas a cotton stalk paper mill will make every portion of a cotton stalk of commercial value. Just at a rough estimate Mr. Thomas figures that $5 a ton can be paid for cotton stalks for paper making purposes. He states that there is less waste in the raw product in cotton stalks than in other commodities. For instance, in making paper from lumber shavings, as is done at Orange, there is a loss of two-thirds of the raw material.
     "The profit to the farmer will, of course, depend largely on the size to which the cotton grows. River bottoms will yield many tons to the acre, while the returns from the upland will be, of course much lighter.
     "It is a sure cure for the boll weevil, " said Mr. Thomas. "By cutting and selling the stalks to the paper mill the farmer will literally destroy the hiding places for the eggs. We can use cotton stalks in all stages, green or dry, and even the roots and old bolls, after picking, are valuable for paper.
     "Cotton seed hulls are also valuable for paper, and this feature will especially appeal to the mill men. We can make all grades of paper from the finest to the coarsest grades, and newspaper will easily be a specialty."

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Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for printing by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas.