(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.

In a further series of experiments (c) the jute was subjected to
certain chemical treatments immediately after the separation of the
fibre from the plant. These consisted in steeping (1) in solution of
sodium carbonate, as well as of plant ashes, and (2) in sulphite of
soda, the purpose of the treatments being to modify or arrest the
changes which take place in the fibre when press-packed in bales for
shipment. The samples were shipped from India under the usual conditions
and examined soon after arrival. It was found that the chemical
treatments had produced but small changes in chemical composition of the
fibre-substance. The sulphite treatment was the more marked in
influence, somewhat lowering the cellulose and nitration constants. The
conclusion drawn from the results was that they afford no prospect of
any useful modification, i.e. improvement of the textile quality of the
fibre by any chemical treatments such as could be applied to the fibre
on th