When the pulp had been properly drained, and matted together, the mold was passed on to another operator, who was known as the “coucher,” from the fact that his work was the turning of the moist sheet of pulp upon a sheet of felt stretched over a board termed a “couch.” Over this first layer of pulp was placed another sheet of felt, then another mold full of the pulp, and so on until there was obtained a pile, or “post,” as it was called, several quires in thickness. The layers were then subjected to heavy pressure, by which as much of the water as possible was squeezed out, when the sheets of felt were removed, and pressure was applied a second time to the paper that remained. The sheets of paper on being taken out were hung over ropes or poles to dry, in some room or loft. ♦Sizing♦ At this point in the process the paper would be open and porous, and would naturally absorb ink, instead of carrying it in lines or letters upon its surface. To overcome this defect, the paper was dipped in a solution made of clippings of hides, horns, or hoofs, or in the gelatine prepared from leather and parchment clippings. The process was, and is still, termed “sizing,” while the material is known as “size,” and is used to render the paper non-absorbent, also to fill up the pores and give an even surface. After being dipped in this solution, the sheets were pressed again, and for a second time hung up to dry; if a smoother surface was desired, it was obtained by passing the paper between metal rollers. ♦Bank of England notes♦ Hand-made paper is now made to a limited extent in America, and to a still greater extent in England. All Bank of England notes are printed on hand-made paper, two notes to a sheet, so that three edges of every note are rough. Working under the old method, it took three men a day to mold, press, and hang up to dry, or finish, four thousand small sheets of paper, while the process from beginning to end required about three months. ♦From tree to paper in a day♦ In these modern days, as will be seen later, paper can be made in twenty-four hours from a tree standing in the forest, in the glory of its full strength and vigor; though in actual practice a longer time is taken in covering all the different processes. Truly the times are changed, and everything is changed with them! [Illustration: AFTER LEAVING THE BEATERS--PAGE 64 AFTER LEAVING THE JORDAN--PAGE 71 RAG PULP] CHAPTER V MODERN PAPER-MAKING ♦The modern mill♦