SECRETARY'S REPORT. 131 



might exist to modify the results, they would naturally apply 

 to all alike. 



The grasses from the irrigated meadow consisted principally 

 of June, or Kentucky blue grass, rough stalked meadow grass, 

 perennial rye grass, meadow soft grass, barley grass, meadow 

 oat grass and a few other species, and it will be noticed that in 

 combination they abound in flesh and fat-forming principles to 

 a greater extent than we should be led to suppose from the 

 composition of any one of them alone. 



Our favorite Timothy compares very favorably with the other 

 grasses, containing a less percentage of useless matter as woody 

 fibre, than any other, except Italian rye grass and crested dog's- 

 tail, a grass not common with us, and the irrigated grasses. In 

 point of soluble, heat-producing principles, sugar^ gum and 

 starch, it is surpassed by the Italian rye grass, but by no others. 

 The analyses of this grass in its green and dry states in tables 

 VII. and IX., fully justify the preference which we have long 

 shown for the use of Timothy ; for, as taken from the field at 

 tlie time of blossoming, it will be found to contain less water, 

 (table VII.,) a greater percentage of flesh and fat-forming 

 principles, and less useless matter in the shape of woody fibre, 

 than most of the other grasses. The deductions of science 

 certainly correspond, in this case, with the results of practice. 



A comparison of tables VII. and IX. with tables VIII. and X. 

 will show the comparative advantages of the use of the artificial 

 grasses, in point of albuminous or flesh-forming principles and 

 fatty matters. The carbonaceous or heat-producing principles 

 remain nearly the same throughout, while the percentage of 

 waste matter or woody fibre is less than in the natural grasses. 

 This is an important fact, worthy of the careful consideration 

 of the farmer. 



In the sixth column of table IX. will be found the percentage 

 of ash of each of the grasses analyzed. Table XL contains a 

 still further analysis of this ash, which gives all the inorganic 

 constituents which the plant derives from the soil and the 

 manures furnished to it. It is important and suggestive to one 

 who will examine it carefully, as indicating the kind of manure 

 which in many cases it may be desirable to apply. 



The first peculiarity which plainly appears from a glance at 

 the ash analyses, is the very large percentage of silicates and 



