THE WATER HYACINTH. 
in clothmaking, at first supplied by Mr. Suttor from Cochin China, were not 
supported by later practical tests. The breaking strain of a rope 5 mm. diam. 
and 1 metre long was given as 49 kilos., and the elongation as from 10 cm. 
(The percentage of fibre is less than that of prickly pear.) ° 
It will be evident from these experiments, many of which have been carried 
out with exceptionally cheap labour (Chinese in Cambodia), that any successful 
utilization of water hyacinth as a source of raw material for manufacture in 
the arts does not seem feasible. Greater success seems likely to be achieved 
from the use of the plant as a source of potash. 
RICHMOND RIVER (N.S.W.) COVERED WITH WATER HYACINTH. 
Probably the most extensive and reliable analyses have been made in the 
Federated Malay States, and the following figures are taken from Agricultural 
Bulletin, April and May, 1918:— 
SUN-DRIED PLANtT. 
: Large Stalks 
ery Mean of 5. 2 
10 Sets. Rogh Leafy’ na ee, 
= ———. —— —— 1 
F Per cent. Per cent. Per cent, 
Moisture a; ae oh 46 ll:4 
Organic Matter an dy te Be 61-0 tb es 
Total Ash ate. ade 4 ae 27°6 33°38 10°5 
Water soluble re ie Fe 4°6 15°3 9°3 
Water insoluble ; Acid soluble .. Sse 9°6 7 val 1:2 
Insoluble... on oh =a 13°4 10°6 J Nil. 
Total Potash K,O ab 3f ay 3°64 1:3 2°7 
Water-++ Weak Acid soluble n; ee. 2°93 1-1 Ea ats E 
Soluble in water alone at ‘: ee oe Se 207 
Phosphorus as P,O; 0°61 0°8 03 
The ten results for total ash and total potash were, approximately, as follows, 
in percentage :— 
Ash, 38, 25, 36, 11, 21, 36, 29, 15, 35, 31. Mean = 27.6. ; 4 
K4y0., 2, 2.6, 3.7, 2.6, 3.1, 5, 5.5, 3.9, 4.4. Mean = 3.64. om 
231 
