REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 147 



Central Farm, Ottawa, produced a thick mass of leafy stems nearly four feet in 

 height. It flowers profusely during June. It is extremely rich in albuminoids and 

 is reported from England to be relished by the cattle, both in the green condition 

 and as hay. For these reasons and also that it yields a very heavy crop per acre, it 

 may become a valuable addition to our present list of fodders. Our own experience 

 in feeding it is as yet extremely limited. It would appear that the cattle do not at 

 first evince a fondness for it. 



Lathyrus venosus, Miihl. 



A free growing, native, perennial pea, with abundance of leaves. Found on the 

 western plains, from which the sample analysed was obtained. There appears to be 

 no statement on record as to its value as a fodder, though judging from the analysis 

 it is well worthy of trial. 



Astragalus Canadensis, L. (Canada Milk-vetch). 



A stiff, free-growing, vetch-like plant, with abundant foliage and spikes of 

 greenish yellow flowers. It occurs usually on river banks and sometimes attains a 

 height of three feet. Flowering period, July. The sample analysed was sent by 

 Wm. Tingey, Esq., Marietou, Assa., N.W.T., who stated that it was cut about two 

 weeks after it had passed its prime. Probably a palatable and nutritive feed if cut 

 while yet young, but no experience of it as a fodder is recorded, beyond that of Mr. 

 Tingey to the effect that "cattle are particularly fond of it." 



Melilotus alba, Lam. (Bokhara Clover, White Melilot). 



An introduced biennial. It is a tall, coarse plant, well known for its sweet 

 odour. It occurs now in many waste places throughout Canada as a weed. It pro- 

 duces a large quantity of fodder, which when cut young is succulent and readily 

 eaten by cattle. 



YiciA Americana, Miihl. 



A native, perennial vetch, with fine leaves. This sample was obtained on the 

 western plains, where it is an important fodder. Judging from the analysis, it com- 

 pares very well in feeding value with the preceding legumes. 



EXPERIMENTS WITH CARROTS. 



It is well known that certain roots have the habit of growing out of the ground, 

 developing to a large extent above the surface of the soil. This exposed portion is 

 green, due to the development of chlorophyll by the action of sunlight. As this 

 tendency is marked among certain varieties of root crops, more especially carrots, 

 it became interesting to ascertain what difference, if any, as revealed by chemical 

 analysis, existed between the lower, underground portion and that which was 

 exposed. 



To this end, four White Belgian carrots were selected, nearly half of each root 

 being green, due to growth above ground. They were cut in two at the line of 

 junction of the green and white portions. The weight of the parts were as 

 follows : — 



Lbs. Ozs. 



Upper and green parts 2 10 



Lower and white parts 3 7 



Total weight of four roots 6 1 



8c— 10^ 



