REPORT OF TEE CHEMIST 



173 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



The increase in tlie non-albuminoids and the concomitant decrease in the albu- 

 minoids that has followed upon ensiling tlie rape mai-ks the most important change in 

 the composition of the dry matter of the rape. This in conjunction with the destruc- 

 tion of a pai't of the carbo-hydrates necessarily increases the percentages of the fibre 

 and ash. The changes are such as might have been expected and indicate a certain 

 deterioration in the silo of the dry matter of tJie rape. 



ROOTS. 



Fire years ago (1900) we began tlie study, from the chemical standpoint, of the 

 relative feeding values of the more important farm roots. This work has been con- 

 tinued every season since that time. It has been instrumental in showing that as 

 regards the percentages of dry matter and sugar, the two chief nutrients in determin- 

 ing the feeding value of roots, considerable differences may, and frequently do, exist 

 between mangels, carrots, turnips, &c. ; and, further, that between varieties of the 

 same class similar differences may often be found. Of course, no two roots from the 

 same seed and growing side by side are exactly alike in composition, but in this 

 research a s-ufficient number of roots has been taken to practically eliminate the factors 

 of size and individualism. It may also be remarked that in tlie endeavour to arrive 

 at a knowledge of the various factors influencing the composition of these roots, the 

 soil factor has, as far as possible, been also eliminated by growing the roots under 

 experiment on ground of a very uniform character. The relative richness of the soil 

 need not, therefore, be taken into account when comparing the roots of the same sea- 

 son with one another. 



Influence of Inlieritcd Qualities. — Differences of a well marked, and, to a certain] 

 degree, constant character undoubtedly exist between the varieties of a class. Thus, 

 for instance, in mangels, for five years in succession, with varying seasonal and soil 

 conditions, the ' Gate Post ' has invariably proved itself richer in dry matter and 

 sugar than the Giant Tellow Globe. We must conclude that such differences are due 

 to inherited qualities. 



Dry Matter and Sugar in Gate Post and Giant Tellow Globe llangels. 



These results show that the ' breed ' factor is an important one. They open up 

 H most interesting field for work in the improvement of roots — one which undoubtedly 

 offers an opportunity for obtaining results of practical value to the farmer. The 

 Vilmorins of Paris have already achieved a marked success in this research in the 

 production of the so-called ' Sugar Mangels,' a cross between the sugar beet and th<3 

 mangel. This root is far superior in feeding qualities to ^he ordinary mangels, and 

 at the same time gives a very satisfactory tonnage to the acre. 



Influence of Season. — The above table, further, may serve tn illustrate the effect 

 of the season upon the composition of the root. It would not be altogether correct 



