DECORTICATION 77 



crate repeatedly to wash away the slime, and then in intro- 

 ducing the crate full of straw into a second tank of water 

 the retting-tank proper. The crate is again raised and 

 lowered repeatedly, and is finally immersed in a third tank 

 for washing and rinsing. Fresh water is admitted through a 

 filter into the rinsing tank and caused to flow by means of 

 syphons successively through the retting and scouring tanks. 

 The water enters the first two tanks underneath a horizontal 

 canvas partition and is thus more evenly distributed. The 

 temperature of the water is slightly raised and the retting 

 more quickly accomplished than in the usual way, the resulting 

 fibre being of a golden yellow colour, much prized by spin- 

 ners. The process is based on the assumption of the in- 

 ventors that the pectose, which unites the fibres together 

 and to the harl of the stem, comprises two distinct kinds of 

 glueing materials, viz., one a gum which is soluble in water, 

 and the other a resin, insoluble in water, which must be decom- 

 posed by the retting action before becoming soluble. Retting 

 by the action of the so-called granulobacter or retting bacillus 

 causes fermentation and decomposition, and produces a glu- 

 tinous substance soluble in water. 



In order that the retting process may be quickly and 

 efficiently accomplished, the raising and lowering of the straw 

 in the scouring tank is indispensable, so that the gum may be 

 washed away. If the stalks be not properly scoured at this 

 stage, the microbe of lactic acid will be developed, the said 

 microbe being an enemy of the retting ferment. The straw 

 crate is raised and lowered in the retting tank in order to wash 

 away the secretion of the retting bacillus, which retards its 

 development. It is further claimed that air or oxygen is 

 introduced into the water by the raising and lowering of the 

 crate, and the action of the retting ferment thereby highly 

 increased. 



All fibrous plants have special characteristics of their own, 

 which must be closely studied if success is to be obtained in 



