286 Agricultural Chemistry —Sheep- Feeding and Manure. 



SERIES I. 



Table 5. — Showing the per Centages of Dry Matter, Ash^ and Nitrogen, 



in the Foods. 



and well mixed, and smaller proportional amounts are then taken 

 if required for fully drying and burning ; a portion being reserved 

 for organic analysis. It will be seen, however, th.it notwithstand- 

 ing these precautions, we have in some cases fallen short of the 

 desired result. The dryings and burnings are accomplished by 

 means of apparatus arranged specially for the conduct of these 

 processes on the scale required in agricultural investigation. The 

 drying-bath consists of a double-cased iron box with water 

 between, heated by a furnace underneath, the internal dimensions 

 being about 5 feet 6 inches length, by 2 feet 6 inches width, and 

 18 inches height. The burnings are conducted on sheets of pla- 

 tinum placed in a series of cast-iron muffles about 16 inches in 

 length, about 5 in width, and 3 to 4 in height, which are so fitted 

 into a cast-ir(m furnace, heated by coke, as to prevent any dust 

 whatever from the fire getting into them, a gentle yet sufficient 

 draft over the surface of the burning substance being secured by 

 means of a chimney of iron piping, fixed into the back of each of 

 the muffles, and projecting some height externally to the furnace. 

 Referring to the results of the Table, it is worthy of remark, 

 that the swedes No. 1, which were consumed from January 5 

 to February 4, had a per centage of nitrogen nearly double that 

 of swedes No. 2, which were commenced at the latter date, and 

 lasted to the end of the experiment. The former were part of an 



