oni 
d 
458 
its growth, as it seems to thrive on a soil containing but little moisture ; 
indeed, even in the driest season it will spring up in a green and thrifty 
manner after being burned over, while, on the other hand, it is not found 
along river bottoms or on lands subjected to overflow during the rainy 
season. ‘The study of cogon grass was conducted in conjunction with 
that of esparto in this laboratory because the use to which it is proposed 
to put the former is identical with that established for the latter. A 
direct comparison is therefore important and necessary. We were fur- 
nished with the Spanish variety of esparto from Barcelona through the 
kindness of Don Enrique Zobel, of Manila, and of the Compania General 
de Tabacos de Filipinas. Our thanks are due for the great courtesy. 
Ash, alkaline hydrolysis, and cellulose calculated on dry material. 
COGON GRASS. ESPARTO GRASS 
(SPANISH). 
. Per cent. Per cent. 
Moisture _ 9.32 8. 68 
Ash 4.58 3.71 
Hydrolysis (a) 25. 77 19. 75 
Hydrolysis (6) 40. 00 37.16 
Cellulose 50. 11 55. 16 
Chemical composition of cogon and esparto grass. 
COGON. ESPARTO. 
Per cent. Per cent. 
Cellulose 46. 68 48, 25 
Fat and wax 1.16 2.07 
Aqueous extract 10. 80 10.19 
Pectous substances 26 26. 39 
Water 11.38 9. 38 
Ash 4.03 B.Te 
Experimental work with mature cogon grass, the results of which are 
given below, indicates, first, the yield of paper cellulose to be expected 
under factory conditions of treatment; second, the approximate amount 
of caustic soda necessary to produce a well-boiled pulp; third, the com- 
parative, resistant nature of the cellulose to further hydrolysis.*® 
i Experi- | Experi- | Experi- Experi- 
| Percentage of ment 1. ment 2. ment 3. ment 4, 
Soda liquor_______- 2 2.4 2.5 3 
Caustic calculated on weight of material __-_______- 10 12 12.5 | 15 
PE SOUR) ki cb ea eeno nea Jog 47.34 45.5 45, 42 44, 25 
* Well-dusted grass, free from weeds and root ends, was cut into pieces 2 to 8 
inches long and in this condition placed into the autoclave. Dilute caustie-soda 
solution in amount sufficient to cover the grass was then run in and the pressure 
was rapidly raised to 4 atmospheres as a maximum. One kilo of dry grass was 
taken for each digestion; the duration of the boiling was six hours, 
