82 ON VARIATIONS IN THE COMPOSITION OF OATS. 



fluence of the seed. The chemical analysis of the corn so grown 

 gave the following results : — 



Composition of Oats grown from Seed of 

 Good character. Bad character. 

 True albuminoid matters (gluten), . • 5-89 

 Starch, gum, &c., .... 62-94 



Fatty matter, 2-81 



Cellulose, 11 -70 



Nitrogenous matter (not true albuminoids), I'lB 



containing Nitrogen, . . . ('186) 

 Alkaline salts in ash, ... "07 



Earthy salts in ash, . . ' . ' '67 

 Silicious matter in ash, . . . 1"98 



Water, 12-86 



100-00 100-00 



The produce obtained from the seed having a good character 



was 35 bushels of oats jier imperial acre, weighing 41 pounds. 



per bushel; whilst the seed of bad character produced 22 bushels, 



weighing 20 pounds per bushel. The composition of the produce 



of one acre of each of these crops was as follows : — 



Acreage yield of Oats grown from Seed of 

 Good cliaracter. Bad character. 



1435 440 



The variations in the feeding powers of the oats so grown will 

 be more clearly seen from a statement showing the food contained 

 in one bushel of each crop : — 



Composition of one bushel of Oats gro^v'n 



from Seed of 



Good character. Bad character. 



Weight per bushel, . 41 20 



In speaking of seed of good or bad character, I do not simply 

 refer to that external appearance or condition which is generally 

 obf ervable, but also to that hidden constitutional character which 



