SORTING PAPER

left-hand side and the broken at the back. Finally, the bad or useless sheets,
such as those with holes, creases and pieces torn off, may be put in a basket,
or anywhere else convenient, ready to be taken away to the beater room to be
used over again.

According to trade custom good or perfect paper is paid for at full price,
retree at an allowance of 10 per cent, and broken, if taken, at an allowance of
20 per cent. The question as to what constitutes a good sheet and a retree
sheet must be decided before the paper is sorted, and this is usually done by

FIG. 136.-

[Abbey Afl/fr, Greenfield, N". Wales
-A WELL-LIGHTED SOKTING AND FINISHING HOUSE

the salle foreman or forewoman in conjunction with the manager, several
factors having to be taken into account. In the first place, the paper must be
equal to the sample, subject to the price being paid for it, and subject also to
the known requirements of the customer. Some customers are much more
difficult to please than others, and seem to imagine that it is possible to get
the best all-rag papers absolutely free from specks of dirt. Those who have
had a wide experience of the *fine' trade will know that it is a practical im-
possibility to get a sheet of all-rag paper absolutely free from all small specks,
so that the sorting of such papers resolves itself into the determination of the