COMMEBCIAL PRODUCTIOX OF T.EMOX-GRASS OIL. 



11 



off in fractions at intervals of 45 and 60 minutes, respectively. The 

 fii"st fraction represented a yield of oil of 0.28 per cent, the citral 

 content of the oil being 80 per cent, while the second fraction repre- 

 sented a ^neld of 0.04 per cent of oil, with a citral content of 85 per 

 cent. When first distilled the first fraction gave a slightly cloud}^ 

 solution with three volumes of 70 per cent alcohol, but after two 

 months it gave a very cloudy solution in all volumes of 70 per cent 

 alcohol. The second fraction was soluble with clear solution in three 

 volumes of 70 per cent alcohol, showmg no sign of change after two 

 months. Another sample of 203 pounds of the fresh plants distilled 

 with steam and the oil drawn off in fractions at intervals of 15, 15, 

 20, and 40 minutes, respectively, gave the results shown in Table VI . 



Table VI. — Citral content (ind solubility in 70 per cent alcohol of various /ructions of 



lemon-grass oil. 



Frucrions. 



Yield of oil. 



Citral (.011- 

 tent of oil. 



Solubility in 70 per cent alpohol. 





Per cent. 

 0.21 



.05 

 .01 



Per cent. 

 39 



74 



82 

 SO 





15 to 30 minutes 



volumes and over. 



30 to 50 minul es 



and over. 

 Do 





Do 







From the results shown in Table VI it is evident that complete 

 extraction of the oil gives a product of greater solubility and higher 

 citral content. 



The oils produced in Florida from all varieties of the plant have 

 passed the solubility test when first distilled, but after storing for 

 three months all have become insoluble. At the present time there is a 

 decided tendency to disregard the solubility test, and no difficulty 

 has been encountered in selhng the Florida oils at a good price when 

 the citrjil content wms 70 })er cent or more. 



( "OMM I:R( J A L POSSIBILITIES. 



The consumption of lemon-grass oil in the United States for the 

 manufacture of iononc and for perfumery purposes is continually 

 increasing, and it is believed that the demand is sufri('iejit to warrant 

 an att('ni})t to grow the plant for the commercial ]:)r()(kiction of the 

 oil in such parts of the country as possess the proper climatic require- 

 ments. Tests on iicre plats have been made to determine the cost 

 of pro(hjction, the Ixvst methods of distilling the oil, and the ({uality 

 of the pro(hicl. Siiniples of the oil pi-odiiccd have ]H'on sold on the 

 ni;iikcl nl the |)iiccs pf'vailing for I he hcllci- gi'iides of imported oil, 

 ;ind it sccnis pos.-^iblc lo [H'oducc the oil cnnuncrci.MlK :i( ;i f;iir pi-olif. 



