Methods of drastic acid hydrolysis or of intense irradiation can effect the conversion of cellulose to glucose; however, either of these two processes is not practical for a large-scale commercial operation. An investigation was made using a combination of the two above mentioned methods. Cellulose (filter paper) was irradiated with gamma rays and subsequently hydrolyzed in solutions of hydrochloric acid. The combination of possible industrial conditions, i.e., dilute acid hydrolysis, moderate radiation doses, short hydrolysis times, and relatively low temperatures, produced cellulose-to-glucose yields of up to 25%. Although the yields obtained were too low to be industrially attractive, this study indicated promising trends toward cellulose conversion under radiation and hydrolysis conditions that might well lie within the range of economic feasibility. (Author)