Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 August 1895 — Cork and Its Uses. [ARTICLE]

Cork and Its Uses.

A large quantity of cork is exported annually from the district of Spain to the United States, the lesser purchasers being England, Italy, France and the Spanish colonies. The cork forests are situated in Gerona, one of the four provinces comprising the principality of Catalonia. The trees grow for from 300 to 400 years, and become productive at an age of about twenty-five years. The bark is then removed, and thereafter the operation is repeated every twelve or fourteen years. The greater part of the bark is made into cork for bottles, the rougher part being reserved for rustic decoration. The fishermen also employ the coarser pieces as floats for their nets. The articles manufactured from cork comprise handles for bicycles, cigarette mouthpieces, shoe soles and visiting cards. A very warm and lasting flooring is also made from layers of cork. The cuttings and residue generally are ground to powder and used for packing fruit, and if it is not good enough for this purpose.it enters into brickmaking for building purposes.