No. 85.] 71 



4.4 ; Sir H. Davy, 15.5; and in some experiments by Prof. John- 

 ston, a variety of red wheat, grown on clay loam, gave 6.6 per 

 cent, while two other specimens of red wheat, grown on a soil 

 abounding in calcareous matter, left respectively 12.15, and 16.5 

 per cent of ash. 



For the purpose of comparison, we here place the analysis of that 

 great American staple, Indian corn, as furnished for the New-Eng- 

 land Farmer, Vol, 21, No. 36, by that excellent chemist. Dr. Dana, 

 to whom the American farmer is so much indebted for his labors in 

 the cause of agricultural science. Quantity as before, 1,000 pounds. 



Potash, 0.200 



Soda, 0.250 



Lime, .035 



Magnesia, . 128 



Alumina, 0.016 



Oxide of iron, « 



Oxide of manganese, 



Silica, .434 



Sulphuric acid, ,017 



Phosphoric acid, . 224 



Chlorine, 0,008 



In addition to this analysis, which, following in the steps of the 

 earlier chemists, only furnishes the amount and kind of materials 

 drawn from the earth, Dr. Dana furnishes another, founded on the 

 principles of nutrition developed in the animal chemistry of Prof. 

 Liebig; and, in its results, forms a striking confirmation of the opin- 

 ions and views adopted by that distinguished man. Liebig, it is well 

 known, divides the plant, or seed, mio flesh forming parts ^ gluten, 

 albumen, &c. ; and fat forming parfs^ as gum, sugar, starch, 

 woody fibre, oil, &c. Dr. Dana, by analysis, found that of the first 

 named principles, or flesh forming, corn contained in 100 parts, 12 . 60 



And of the fat producing principles, 77 .09 



Water, 9.00 



Salts, 1.31 



Thus, analysis shows results perfectly corresponding with the ex- 

 perience of the farmer; the fattening properties of corn, as every 

 one knows, greatly preponderating over its power of promoting 

 growth. 



