COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF LEMON-GRASS OIL. 
11 
off in fractions at intervals of 45 and 60 minutes, respectively. The 
first 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 yield of 0.04 per cent of oil, with a citral content of 85 per 
cent. When first distilled the first fraction gave a slightly cloudy 
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, showing 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 and solubility in 70 per cent alcohol of various fractions of 
lemon-grass oil. 
Fract ions . 
Yield of oil. 
Citral con- 
tent of oil. 
Solubility in 70 per cent alcohol. 
Per cent. 
0.21 
.21 
.05 
.01 
1 
Per cent. 
39 
74 
82 
SO 
Soluble with very cloudy solution in two 
volumes and over. 
Soluble in clear solution in two volumes 
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 difficult}' 
has been encountered in selling the Florida oils at a good price when 
the citral content was 70 per cent or more. 
COMMERCIAL POSSIBILITIES. 
The consumption of lemon-grass oil in the United States for the 
manufacture of ionone and for perfumery purposes is continually 
increasing, and it is believed that the demand is sufficient to warrant 
an attempt to grow the plant for the commercial production of the 
oil in such parts of the country as possess the proper climatic require- 
ments. Tests on acre plats have been made to determine the cost 
of production, the best methods of distilling the oil, and the quality 
of the product. Samples of the oil produced have been sold on the 
market at the prices prevailing for the better grades of imported oil, 
and it seems possible to produce the oil commercially at a fair profit. 
