TALBOT6140

122 Regent S^{t 1}
Ap^l 28/48

To H F Talbot Esq^r

Sir

I have seen the process for making paper at Whatmans ² & at Allnutt’^s3 both of Maidstone in Kent M^r Hollingsworth the proprietor of “Whatmans Mill” advised me to go to his friend M^r Allnutt as he is fond of trying experiments. –

M^r Allnutt will try flax if we particularly wish it but would rather try linen rags foreign linen is free from cotton he would make it without Chlorine, & would take every precaution to keep out pins & iron button s rings, – which often escape the “sorters” eye, & become ground & diffused through the pulp. – Having seen the whole process I am not surprised at the difficulties we have, – M^r Allnutt says a pure paper, has not been made these 20 years – such as I described to him. –

Two or three hundredweight of material is required for one experiment, this will make 10 or 12 reams folio, at something between 30/· & 40/· per ream. folio. If it does not answer for us he can get 18/– per ream for it – If bleached he could sell it for nearly as much as we give him. – colour constitutes quality with him I cannot think it would be a failure, as I saw & pointed out many things which are injurious, & for which there are remedies, & those not very expensive. –

As regards Texture I confess I cannot understand it well, M^r Allnutt thinks it may must be the cotton. – Our best paper is longer & coarser in fibre than the bad, of this they are he is certain, – yet there are reasons for having a short fibre. –

Nothing but an experiment can determine the proper length of fibre

The experiment can be commenced at once. In six weeks the paper would be ready I think it will be better If I go down at a particular stage of the process & see that nothing is done likely to injure it It is not necessary that I should be there all the time. I now know the critical period. –

Allnutt has promised to supply no one but ourselves with this paper. he will not let others avail themselves of our experience. –

at the same time he wishes us to buy all of him if it answers or he would not be troubled with it.

Will you be kind enough to write & say whether we shall give the order immediately

yours very obediently
T A Malone

M^r Allnutt was pleased with the specimens I took he recognised the Cambridge views immediately.