341 



bagas, beets, and purple and green kohlrabi. The analyses of kohl- 

 rabi show a relatively large proportion of nitrogen in other forms than 

 in that of the albuminoids. " In the case of the purple-topped variety, 

 only one fourth of the total nitrogen is albuminoid. With the green- 

 topped variety the albuminoid nitrogen is slightly greater, but the total 

 per cent of nitrogen is considerably less. * * * Analyses of tur- 

 nips, rutabagas, and beets showed that of the total nitrogen of beets, 

 less than L*4 per cent was in albuminoids ; of ruta-bagas, less than 44 per 

 cent ; and of turnips, less than 35 per cent. The beets contained a large 

 percentage of nitrates." The analyses of the seeds of three varieties of 

 sorghum show that these seeds have nearly the same composition as 

 corn. The smaller size and greater hardness of the sorghum seed may 

 lead to its imperfect digestion by animals. The analyses of sorghum 

 leaves show that they have a relatively larger amount of ash ; otherwise 

 they compare favorably with hay. 



Composition of corn at different stages of growth (pp. 120-123). — Samples 

 of corn obtained in the experiment recorded in the annual report of the 

 station for 1888 were analyzed, and the results are stated in a table in 

 this report. The corn had been cut at four or five different stages of 

 growtli from August 8 to September 4. The table shows that with one 

 exception the fat and nitrogen-free extract increased proportionally as 

 the grain developed, while the fiber, ash, and nitrogenous materials de- 

 creased. The difference in the yield of corn at the several cuttings was 

 striking. "In the case of yellow dent, a yield of 15 bushels of corn in 

 the dough increased to 39 bushels by the time it was ripe, and the qual- 

 ity was sensibly the same. King Philip increased from 30 bushels to 

 61 of equal quality." 



Ammonia and nitric acid in atmospheric waters (pp. 123-132). — The 

 collecting and analyzing of rain-water at the station was commenced in 

 March, 188G, for the purpose of determiuing the total amount of nitrogen 

 brought down by rain and snow per acre yearly. During the first year 

 only the total nitrogen was determined, but since that time the ammonia 

 and nitric acid have been determined separately. During three and a 

 half years separate analyses were made of samples from each rain-fall, 

 but since that time average samples of the rain for each month have 

 been analyzed. The methods of analysis used are described. Details 

 of the observations, including rain-fall, total nitrogen, and nitrogen as 

 ammonia and as nitric acid, for each rain during the year ending March 

 1, 1889, and for each month during four years, are given in tables. A 

 general summary of the results for the four years shows the average to- 

 tal nitrogen in the rain-fall per acre to have been 3.44 pounds per year ; 

 nitrogen in the form of ammonia, 2.63 pounds; and nitrogen in nitric 

 acid 1.06 pounds. A brief resume is given of European and other ob- 

 servations on this subject. From May, 18o7, to September, 1889, the 

 rain-water was tested for the presence of nitrites. Twenty-eight per 

 cent of the rains falling in December, January, February, and March, 



