We compare the negative ion fraction obtained for scattering of hydrogenous ions (Hx+,x=1–3) from highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), with that obtained for scattering from a polycrystalline graphite surface. In contrast to the HOPG surface, which has a negative ion yield of the order of 1–2&percent;, the polycrystalline sample has yields of up to 30&percent;. ©1998 American Institute of Physics.