(1) To ascertain the quality of the fibre extracted from the plant at different stages of growth, quantities of 400 lbs. of the stalks were cut at successive stages and the fibre isolated after steeping 14-20 days. The fibre was shipped to England and chemically investigated, with the following results: No. 1. Cut before appearance of inflorescence. " 2. " after budding. " 3. " in flower. " 4. " after appearance of seed-pod. " 5. " when fully matured. _________________________________________________________________ | | | | | | | | | (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | |___________________________|_______|_______|______|______|_______| | | | | | | | | Moisture | 11.55 | 8.74 | 10.7 | 10.0 | 9.72 | | Ash | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.90 | | Alkaline hydrolysis (a) | 6.2 | 8.5 | 9.7 | 8.9 | 7.3 | | " " (b) | 10.5 | 11.9 | 11.6 | 12.0 | 11.2 | | Mercerising treatment | 10.2 | 10.7 | 12.0 | 8.1 | 11.0 | | Nitration | 37.2 | 32.1 | 32.2 | 33.2 | 36.6 | | Cellulose | 74.0 | 76.2 | 74.1 | 74.8 | 76.4 | | Acid purification | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 1.4 | |___________________________|_______|_______|______|______|_______| It will be thus seen that there are no changes of any essential kind in the chemical composition of the bast fibre throughout the life-history of the plant, confirming the conclusion that the 'incrustation' view of lignification is consistent only with the structural features of the changes, and so far as it has assumed the gradual overlaying of a cellulose fibre with the lignone substance it is not in accordance with the facts. Examination of the samples from the point of view of textile quality showed a superiority of No. 1 in fineness, softness, and strength; from this stage there is observed a progressive deterioration, but the No. 4 sample (which was taken at the usual period of cutting) is superior to No. 5.