Composition of Orange Globe Mawjolds, Bulbs and Tops. 209 



that of this solid matter a large proportion is mineral matter, 

 which does not contribute much to their feeding' properties. 

 On the other hand mangold-leaves, notwithstanding their large 

 proportion of water, are rich in nitrogenous or albuminous 

 compounds, Avhich it is hardly necessary to say give a certain 

 value to the tops. 



The differences in the results of the preceding analyses are far 

 less striking, and the analytical figures more comparable with 

 each other, if we take the composition of the tops in a dry state. 

 This has been done in the preceding Table. 



We learn from this table that from ^ to ^ of the dry matter of 

 mangold-tops consists of mineral substances, amongst which 

 saline constituents preponderate. This very large amount of 

 saline matter goes far to explain the well-known purging pro- 

 perties of mangold-leaves. 



Although mangold-tops contain more nitrogenous matter than 

 the bulbs, it cannot be maintained that they are more nutritious 

 than the latter. It is more than probable that the nitrogenous 

 inatter occurs in the tops in a less elaborated, and for this reason 

 less assimilable condition than in the roots, and that the tops 

 would not be so fattening as the bulbs, even if they contained 

 less of those saline constituents which have a relaxing effect upon 

 the bowels of sheep or cattle. 



The quantities of salt applied to these mangolds varied from 

 1 to 8 cwts. per acre ; but it does not appear that cither the 

 composition of the roots or tops on the different plots was much 

 affected by these different quantities of salt used on each plot, 

 ]\Iangold-leaves on No. 5, not dressed with salt, it will be seen, 

 contained as much salt as No. 9, dressed with 8 cwt. per acre. 



11, Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, 

 July, 1865. 



XIX. — Summary of the Proceedings of the Royal Agricultural 

 Society of England in reference to Agricidtural Education. By 

 S. Benj. L. Deuce, Hon. Secretary of the Committee. 



At the half-yearly General Meeting of the Society, held on the 

 9th of December, 1863, Lord Feversham in the chair, Mr. 

 Morton drew attention to the fact that among the ten objects for 

 which the Society was incorporated, one Avas to take measures 

 for the education of those who depended upon the cultivation of 

 the soil for their support. 



VOL. II. — S. S. P 



