284 MODERN PAPER-MAKING

placed directly on to the bars, the position of the chain lines being directly
over the wooden bars, and this causes the slight shading appearance in the
paper around these parts.

With the mechanically-made 'sheet' it has become customary to introduce
a laid under 'sheet' which, by giving a slight clearance between the top sheet
and the mould, allows for a better waterway, gives a more evenly water-marked
surface to the paper, and does away with the shaded appearance mentioned
above.

Letters or devices are sewn on the surface of the wires or wire cloth. Some

\J. Barcham Green and Son and the 'Daily Mirror' Newspapers
FIG. 125.—HAND-MADE PAPER-MAKING
The vatman making a sheet of paper on the mould. The sheet is actually formed, and the 'deckle'
is about to be removed
moulds have patterns or figures embossed on the wove wire cloth both up and
down, so as to form thick or thin places in the sheet, and many beautiful designs
are produced in this way.
The paper-maker who handles the mould and makes the waterleaf sheet is
called the Vatman' (Fig, 125). With the deckle in position he dips the mould
into the stuff in the vat, and, lifting it up, he gives it the peculiar shake and
movement which closes up the sheet and gives it the desired character; he
sometimes causes a little wave to run over the mould, so getting rid of the
surplus pulp, and leaving the fibres evenly felted behind it. He tips some of
the water off the top and then places the mould on the bridge beside him, within
reach of the coucher, at the same time removing the deckle.