When the cost of cultivation, of carriage, freight to this country, charges and merchants' profit, are added to the outlay involved in producing clean fibres by the laborious and tedious processes described, even with the exceedingly cheap labour of _tropical countries_, it will readily be understood that they cannot be sold at a cheap rate. When the above outlay has been incurred, and clean merchantable fibre results, such fibre will generally secure a high price in the market for Spinning, Roping, and other Textile purposes, far beyond the Paper-maker's limits, who therefore can only avail himself of damaged parcels, or such as, being of low or inferior quality, have been rejected by the "Spinner," and, even then, has to come into competition with the maker of low-class goods, the common "sacking and mat-maker," as any fibre of fair strength, long enough to spin into a coarse yarn, commands good value in the market. It will be obvious from the preceding remarks that the Paper-manufacturer, for an extended supply of _Material_, must look to a _fibre_ or fibrous substance which, either like "Esparto," can be utilized direct, without having to pass through this process of semi-manufacture, or to some other "_New Material_," which, from the peculiarity either of its production or growth, and to the simplicity and economy of its treatment, can be imported into this country, in a condition suitable for his requirements. Knowing from personal observation the peculiarities of the growth, production, and collection of the "ESPARTO" plant, and believing the time would come when the supply would be unequal to the demand (although I must admit, owing to the rapid extension of the Paper-trade, that time has arrived sooner than I anticipated), I have long and continuously kept my attention directed to any "_New Material_" which appeared likely to become available for Paper-making purposes. For many years past, I have devoted much time to the investigation of _Fibres_, during which period I have, I believe, tested both chemically and practically as a Paper-maker, nearly every _fibrous material_ introduced into the market, with, as may naturally be supposed, extremely variable results. Before any "_New Material_" will be favourably received by the Paper-manufacturer, it is clear that certain conditions must be fulfilled; these being that such "_Material_" shall favourably compare, so far as regards quality and cost, with those he now employs, and that he shall feel satisfied he may rely upon a continuity of supply, not subject to violent fluctuations in price. Once assured on these points, there can be no doubt that, especially under existing circumstances (viz. deficient supply and high prices), the Paper-trade would gladly welcome the advent of any "_New Material_" calculated to relieve the present, or apprehended scarcity. NEW MATERIALS.