Figure 3 shows that after bleaching with a ratio of 3% chlorine dioxide to oven- dried pulp, pulps Hs3-6, Hw-r and Hbf3 had brightness levels 2.4 - 4.7% lower than that of birch pulp. Despite these results, it should be stated that the bleanchability of these hemp pulps is very good. The higher brightness of birch pulp could be partly attributed to its comparatively greater initial brightness.