T. TADOKORO. 



In order to get an idea of how large a part each of these factors plays in caus- 

 ing the loss, we made the following experiment. 



A definite quantity of air dry stem is taken into flasks containing a 

 definite quantity of canal water. To one series of flasks are added a few drops 

 of formalin, to prevent the propagation of micro-organisms, while to the other 

 series no formalin is added. Arrangments were made w r ith filter paper or 

 cotton to prevent the aerobic retting. The results of the experiment follow. 



Tabic n. 



Experiment. 

 (16-21° C.) 





Loss due to the extrac- 



Loss due to the extrac- 



% of that of com- 

 bined actions. 



after 12 days 







56.% 

 59. % 



Generally, the extractive power of water is proportional to the quantity 

 and temperature of water, and ■ the duration of immersion. In experiments 

 cited, the difference in results is caused solely by the difference of duration, 

 as the amount and temperature of water were kept as similar as possible in 

 both series. It is to be noticed that the loss of the stem due to the extractive 

 power of water alone is more than half of that due to the combined actions. 



The loss of the dry matter is a measurement of the retting grade and it 

 is important for the fiber manufacture to increase the loss of the stem without 

 injurious effects upon the qualities of fiber and tow production. 



If the production of finer tows and fibers are desired, the double retting 

 is to be recommended, since they are more easily obtained from the well ret- 

 ted stem than the incomplete one. The loss which is estimated practically 

 in Hokkaido is smaller than that in Europe, this is probably owing to the in- 



From the above experiments, we may conclude as follows. 

 1. In case tin) water is changed, the loss of weight in the total stem is 

 about 18-1996 but on the basis of the stem proper it amounts to about L">. \\. 



