No. 85.] 347 



4.456 epidermis. 

 73.735 clean grain. 



100.000 



[5,] The ratio of rough- rice to the straw of the harvested grain, 

 deduced from taking the mean of 15 separate experiments, gave the 

 weight of the grain 53.5, that of the straw, including the panicle or 

 stems, 23.6. 



But as many of the leaves appear to have been mutilated, I am dis- 

 posed to assume as a probable approximation to the truth, the weight 

 of the grain as just double that of the cut-straw. And as some ob- 

 servation of the stubble and roots strongly favors the idea of their 

 equaling together the weight of the straw, I shall still farther ven- 

 ture to consider the rough-rice of a ripe, harvested plant, as equal in 

 weight, that of the entire stem, leaves and root. 



[6.] Let us next attempt an approximation towards an apprecia- 

 tion of the mineral constituents of these different portions of the rice 

 plant. 



The ash in 100 parts of rough-rice equals 4.762 parts. And as the 

 ash in 100 of the husk, equals 13.67, that in 17.90 parts of husk 

 must equal 2.446 parts. By difference, therefore, between 2.446 

 and 4.762, the ash of the cotyledon, epidermis and clean grain, in 

 100 parts of rough-rice, will equal 2.316 parts. 



But the percentage of the ash in clean rice being known, we are 

 able to state what the amount of ash is. In clean rice of 100 parts 

 rough-rice, it is 0.297 parts. The general statement, then, will stand 

 thus, for 100 parts rough-rice : 



Ash in the husk, 2 . 446 parts. 



" cotyledon and epidermis, . .2.019 " 

 " clean grain 0.297 " 



4.762 



[7.] The straw (including the stubble and root,) having been as- 

 sumed as equal in weight to the rough grain, the ratio of the mineral 

 ingredients of the former to the latter, stands as 12.422 to 4.762. 



[8.] Considering a single rice-plant, in its dry, mature state, to 

 weigh 100 grains, (a supposition which will often accord with the 

 fact,) we shall have of mineral matter in the different parts of the 

 plants, the following number of grains : 



In the stubble and root, 36 . 08 



" straw and pan leaves, 36 . 08 



" husk, ...14.20 



" cotyledon and epidermis, 1 1 . 70 



" clean rice, 1 . 94 



100.00 



• From losses [sustained to the clean grain, in the process of milling', it is not probable 

 at above 70 parts of commercial rice are afforded by 100 of rough-rice. 



