CHAPTER in

TREATMENT OF RAGS
SORTING—BOILING—WASHING—BLEACHING

AFTER the rags have been received into the mill they are carefully examined
to see that they are up to sample as regards colour and quality, in order that the
attention of the supplier may be called should the delivery appear to be below
the standard. A few bags or bales are opened, and thus a general impression
of the quality of the consignment is obtained. Should the rags be below die
standard of the sample, they are left on one side until the supplier has been
communicated with and given an opportunity of inspecting them. If the rags
seem all right, they are put into stock ready for use.

Before the rags pass into the rag loft to be overlooked they are passed through
a conical duster to remove grit, dust, and any loose dirt, buttons, etc. If this
method is adopted it makes the task of the women overhaulers much more
pleasant, and the rag loft is also rendered more free from dust

When the rags have been rough-dusted they are passed to the rag loft to
be overhauled and examined by women. * The rag loft consists of a large room
equipped*with rows of sorting tables, having coarse-mesh wire tops and fitted
with large vertical fixed knives opposite each sorter, so that the large pieces
may be cut up and buttons, etc., removed. A vacuum pump must be installed
to draw away the dust from tinder the wire mesh. This also helps to give a
purer atmosphere to the room.

The task of the rag sorter requires a great deal of experience and skill, as
the rags often have to be graded into one or two or even more grades, and also
contraries in the form of silks, wool, etc., have to be thrown out It is also
imperative that all rubber, whether in the form of elastic, solution or insertion,
should be carefully picked out, as it is without a doubt the worst enemy of the
paper-maker, and it is amazing to see the different ways in which rubber in
one form or another is used in clothing, and how it is concealed.

Next in importance to rubber come the buttons, hooks and eyes and metal
fasteners of all descriptions which are used on clothing. These are sewn in
all sorts of unexpected places, and the greatest care and patience is required on
the part of the women if they are to free the rags thoroughly from them. Any
carelessness on the part of one woman may spoil the work of twenty, as if the
buttons or fasteners get through and into the boilers, they have only the T>nttoti

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