A system for applying a suspension of uncooked starch particles in water to a web on a forming wire includes a source of such suspension and a source of dilution water, an application die positioned transversely of the web with an internal manifold opening into a downwardly opening die slot through which material flows from the manifold as a falling curtain onto the web. The die has a plurality of transversely spaced inlets leading into the manifold to define transversely spaced application zones across the web. The suspended starch and water are applied from the manifolds through control valves into the inlets by means of which the consistency or concentration of the starch may be varied at positions representing the application zones across the web to provide a desired strength profile to the dried web. The method includes the steps of controlling the ratio of starch and water by proportional valve means in accordance with a desired strength characteristic of the web as measured at the dry end of a paper machine and while maintaining a flow from the die at a relatively constant rate of flow into the fallen curtain of material.
