AGRICULTURE – Page 41 – Philippine Tambayan

Paper from Stem of Cotton Plants

The stem of the cotton plant is rich in cellulose, a good material for papermaking. This process

came from the Cotton Technological Research Laboratory in Bombay, India which taught

papermaking from cotton plant stems – such as writing paper, wrapping paper, and newsprint.

They used soft green stems with 70% moisture.

Procedure:

1. Boil the chopped stem in 6% alkaline.

2. Wash the cooked material and place in a beater to separate the fibers.

The resulting product a good quality yellow pulp.

Source:

Indian Farming

V. 40, Feb. 1991

Paper can be made from any fibrous plant but the best material is rice straw. Abundant rice

straw go to waste during harvesting time. With a very minimal capital, this agricultural waste

could be a good source of livelihood. Making paper from rice straw can be done even by

children in their homes or as a project in the community. The art of papermaking is being done

since the ancient times in China and Japan where different types of paper such as glossy and

silky ones are produced.

Most of our users are clogged with water lilies or hyacinths. These fast growing plants are

hazardous to sea travels. They also cause skin allergies. However, the Technology and

Livelihood Research Center (TLRC) found that water lilies could be a good substitute for

leather in shoes and bag making.

There is at present leather and other raw materials shortage for shoes and bag making. Only

75% of the industry needs are supplied, therefore water lilies could supplement the needed

materials.

Dye from Dilau (Yellow)

This is a root plant like ginger. It is used to dye silk and wool – yellow. Boil the roots, add alum

or vinegar, if desired, according to color strength desired.

Its turmeric substance is not soluble in waater, but dissolves easily in either alcohol, alkali, fats

and oils. Turmeric solution fades under the sun.

It gives bright green and brown, light violet red with tin, lime and barium hydroxide.

Turmeric produce yellow color in acid solution and dark reddish brown in alkali.

Source:tekno tulong