STUDIES ON FLAX BETTING. 
49 
ilie control stem, showing that the loss of matter has taken place in the bark 
portion diming retting. 
Pentosan and pentosan-free fiber in both portions were determined with 
the following results. 
Tabic O. 
Bark portion. 
Pentosan. 
Pentosan-free fiber. 
in % of dry 
in % of dry matter 
in % of dry 
in % of dry matter 
matter. 
of control stem. 
matter. 
of control stem. 
Control stem 
8.52 
8.52 
56.40 
56.40 
Retted stem 
5.67 
4.12 
51.00 
37.08 
Difference 
- 
4.40 
- 
19.32 
Woody portion. 
Pentosan. 
Pentosan-free fiber. 
in % of dry 
in % of dry matter 
in % of dry 
in % of dry matter 
matter. 
of control stem. 
matter. 
of control stem. 
Control stem 
29.40 
29.40 
44.79 
44.79 
Retted stem 
31.06 
29.39 
48.18 
43.53 
Difference 
- 
-0.01 
- 
-0.74 
From the table we observe that, in the bark portion, pentosan looses 
about 50% and pentosan-free fiber about 30% in the retting process, while 
in the woody portion hardly any loss has taken place. 
3. On the Chemical Nature of Gummy 
Substance in Flax Stem. 
It has been shown in the previous experiments that the chief constituents 
• of the flax stem changed or lost during the retting is the pentosan or gummy 
