No. 112.] 325 



soil is best adapted to them, and this is established by determia- 

 ing accurately the composition of the plant. Hence the practical 

 value of these calculations. 



Oue ton of fresh roots contains of inorganic matter, 31.16 pounds, 

 which is made up of the following bodies in the proportions givem 



below: 



Carbonic acid, 7.69 lbs. 



Silicic acid, 0.19 



Phosphoric acid, 4 . 88 



Phosphate of iron, . 57 



Lrme, 1.55 



Magnesia, 0.24 



Potash, 1.81 



Soda, 12.25 



Chlorine, 0.76 



Sulphuric acid, 1 . 22 



These bodies are more than furnished to the soil by the fol- 

 lowing compost: 



33 pounds of ashes, 



10 pounds of common salt, 



5 pounds of plaster. 



The ashes furnish all the inorganic matter removed, in suffi- 

 cient quantity except the soda, chlorine and sulphuric acid. The 

 salt and plaster, furnish these. 



We now come to see the proximate organic composition of the 

 roots, which points out to us their nutritious qualities. 



100 parts of fresh roots. 100 parts of drj roots. 



Water 80.610 



Fiber, 2.764 29.618 



Sugar and extract, 3.665 39 . 279 



Dextrine, 1.435 15.378 



€asein, 0.172 1.849 



Albumen, 1 .066 11.126 



Starch, 0.035 0.375 



Resin, 0.180 1.029 



Gluten 0.014 0.117 



99.911 100. UUO 



