| OCR Text |
Show 2 PAPERMAKIN IN SIA had dreamed existed. I was pleased to discover growin along the canals a number of &oi trees (Streblus asper Lour.), the bark of which for hundreds of years has bee the papermaking material of Southern Siam. The tree grow wild and the branches and twigs are gathered an tied together in convenient bundles by the poor peopl who sell them to the paper mill. Our small gondola wa dexterously guided from one leaf-hung canal to another and, as the tide was coming in, the progress was rapid Allalong the route I constantly looked for familiar sign that would suggest the presence of papermaking, and, a last, after miles of travel through the twisting channel we approached a rambling wooden house, well elevate above the level of the stream, from which sounded th dull thythmical beating of bark; and through the thic vegetation that lined the banks I could see a number o tall papermaking moulds leant carclessly against th wooden posts that supported the house. It was obviou that we had reached our destination. Bangkok was fa away, and only a boatman who had spent his life upo the vast network of canals could have found Bangsom or could carry us back to the capital without becomin lost in the maze of complicated waterways Our small craft was made fast to a mooring post and we entered the house where I was ceremoniously introduced to thevarious members of the Niltongkum family Digital image 2004 Marriott Library, Universiy of Utah. All ights reserved |
