HAND-MADE PAPER

285

The coucher tilts it into a sloping position to allow more of the surplus
water to run through the sheet and off the under side of the wire cloth, and then
presses it face downwards on to a felt. Skilfully lifting the mould from one
edge first, he leaves the wet sheet on the felt, and places another felt on top of

[J. Bardiam Green and Son
FIG. 126.—HAND-MADE PAPER-MAKING

Vat's crew at work on a two-sheet mould. The sheet is already formed and mould is ready for deckle to be removed,
the upper end boy assisting, and in the foreground the layer picking up the felt with his right hand and the sheet
with his left.

it. Another sheet is laid on the pile, and so on until a 'post' of alternate sheets
and felts is built up.
This post is subjected to heavy pressure in a press, to squeeze out as
much water as possible. The sheets are then stripped off the felts by a