— 190 — 



In connection with these various circumstances the impossi- 

 bility of finding a fixed limit for the dry-residue has been 

 demonstrated. Nevertheless, the above given tables relating 

 to this question have enabled us to draw a boundary line 

 between physiologically good and bad rice, and this line, 

 although vague, has proved to be of practical value. The 

 results of some unmentioned experiments have also shown 

 that when rice is in question which is deprived of its pericarp 

 and has no outward signs of prolonged storage, the dry -residue 

 limit must be considered to lie between 0,55 and 0,6%. 

 If the dry-residue cipher of apparently unspoiled rice is found 

 to be between the two values named, it will be as impossible 

 to give a decided opinion as to its physiological quality as 

 it is when the P.Og amount is about 0,4%. 



Although the spirit-method of rice investigation has been 

 shown above to be taken in the rough and is also very 

 vague, so that it scarcely deserves the name of a chemical 

 test, still I would advise that it should never be omitted on 

 account of its defects. It is too simple and too easy of 

 application to be rejected, and in practise gives too many 

 guarantees for gaining correct information as to the good or 

 bad qualities of a certain kind of rice. The fact alone that 

 by this means the true quality of some kinds of rice may 

 be shown, while the P 2 5 test gives rise to contrary 

 conclusions, is sufficient to authorise its recommendation. 

 (Compare with Appendix). 



IX. The Absolute Test. 



The chemical testing of rice, with the by-substances as 

 foundation, did not prove satisfactory, for thereby it appeared 

 possible to form incorrect opinions and, even more frequently, 

 to deduce incertain conclusions. This led to the search for 

 another manner of value-estimation, — a manner which could 

 easily be applied - following the physiological track, from 

 which alone absolute results might as yet be expected. 



