584 Value of Anthyllis Vulneraria as a Fodder Plant. 



2. That it was somewhat poorer in albuminous compounds or 

 flesh-forming matters than common meadow-hay, and contained 

 nothing like the amount of these compounds which occurs in 

 clover-hay. 



I was rather surprised to find so little flesh-forming matter in 

 the Anthyllis, for the plant belongs to the natural order of 

 Leguminosae, a tribe which is distinguished by a much larger 

 amount of nitrogenous compounds than is found in true grasses. 

 The hay analysed by me, however, as mentioned already, was 

 decidedly stalky, and the comparative paucity of tender leaves, 

 which are always rich in nitrogen, and the prevalence of woody 

 fibre (cellulose), a substance not containing any nitrogen, no 

 doubt accounts for the deficiency of flesh-forming matter, which, 

 comparatively speaking, may not be so great when the crop is 

 eaten green, as it is when made into hay. 



3. That the Anthyllis contains more indigestible woody fibre 

 than either meadow- or clover-hay. 



The small percentage of ready-made fat and of flesh-forming 

 matters, and the large amount of woody fibre in the sample, 

 certainly do not speak in favour of Anthyllis as a forage plant. 

 It must, however, be remembered that my remarks, strictly 

 speaking, only apply to the specimens analysed by me, and that 

 we have yet to learn what is the average composition of the crop 

 before a generally correct opinion can be expressed as regards 

 the nutritive value of Anthyllis Vulneraria. This plant, at least 

 when grown on poor sandy soils, has a great tendency to drop, 

 towards its maturity, the finer and more nutritious leaves, and to 

 become stalky and coarse. It may, therefore, be better on such 

 soils to consume it green than to make it into hay. In a given 

 state I am inclined to think the plant would compare more 

 favourably with green clover than hay made from the Kidnev 

 Vetch will with clover-hay. 



Lahoratory, 1 1 , Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, 

 July, 1867. 



XX. — Remarks on the Imj)lement Department at Bury. By 

 Eael CathcAET, Senior Steward, 



NiMROD used to say, I can part with the horse, but not with his 

 condition. So the Society — the thing being divisible — should 

 part with its stewards, not with their experience. Mr. Wren 

 Hoskyn, Sir A. Macdonald, and Mr. Caldwell, have written 

 valuable papers on previous meetings: would that their example 



