408 
UEroKT OK OHEMICAL 1jA1U)KAT()KY 
Increase in 
nitrogenous 
constituents of 
certain foreign 
grains grown 
in the Sudan 
Climate more 
important 
than soil in 
determining 
composition 
of a wheat 
111 the course of the exaiiiinatioii of certain grains grown from seeds obtained from 
other countries, it was noted that a considerable increase in the proportion of albuminoids 
resulted from planting in the Sudan. In order to test this effect in the case of wheat, 
a sample of Indian (Mozalfaruagar) seed was obtained in October, 1905, from Mr. Hughes, 
Chemist to the Khedivial Agricultural Society in Cairo. This w'as planted at the 
experimental farm at Ilalfaya, and the crop so obtained was again planted the following 
season. 
The following are the results of analyses of the original seed and of the two 
successive crops. 
The proportions of constituents, other than moisture, are calculated on the dry 
substance, in order to institute a more exact comparison. 
C.L. No. 
ai7 
475 
438 
Seud 
Original seed 
l.st crop, 1905-6 
2ud crop, 1906-7 
iloistiirc ... 
8-00 per cent. 
0-77 per oeut. 
5-45 per cent. 
Ether oxtrixot 
1-32 
1-02 
1-72 
Albuminoids 
11-03 
14-81 
14-76 
Nou-uitrogcuous extract 
82-08 
78-20 
77-22 
Crude libre 
3-31 
2-92 
3-63 
-tsh . 
1-Gfi 
2-45 
2-67 
Total ... 
100-00 
luo-uo 
100-00 
Weight of 100 grains ill gnimmcs 
2-713 
2-709 
2-676 
As will he seen, there was an immediate gain in nitrogenous constituents. It 
would he absurd, of course, to generalise from such meagre data, hut nevertheless it 
is interesting to note that the composition of the second crop is almost identical with 
that of the first. In other words, the alteration in eomiiosition resulting from the new 
environment appears to complete itself in the first planting; it does not take place 
gradually from year to year. 
From experiments of a similar nature conducted in America, it would a})pear that 
climate is the most important factor in determining the composition of a wheat, the 
soil having the least effect of all the important factors, always provided that the 
soil in question contains sufficient of the essential elements of plant food required for 
an average cro]). The soil was found, however, to be a potent factor in the determination 
of the amount of material harvested, and, apparently, also the size of the grain. 
