THE FLAX PLANT. 275 
with two and a half bushels of clean Riga seed of superior quality. The 
weather had been dry for some time; but in the evening, after the sowing, 
0°300 inches of rain fell. 
On the 28th of April the young plants appeared above the soil. 
Mean temperature, from 16th nae 46°°5 Fahr. 
Quantity of rain ..... . 1:385 inch. 
On the 14th of May the pra tie of the field was green; each plant con- 
sisted of two leaves. 
May 31.—Each plant, with root, measured about 6 inches. Eight plants 
were taken for examination, and were found, when all traces of adherent 
earth were removed, to weigh 36 grs. They were dried at 212°, and care- 
fully incinerated in a platinum vessel, and were found to be composed as 
follows :— 
Per-centage composition. 


Fresh plants. Dry. 
Wate E Sc. deliv Sige <(BOTS 83°833 
Organic matters .... 5°09 14°139 8'7°446 
Inorganic matters 0°73 2°028 12°554 
y 36°00 100-000 100°000 
June 26.—Two plants, with roots, were taken from the same part uf the 
field as those last examined. The plants were just about to flower. Height 
of each above surface of soil, 223 inches. Both together weighed 60 grs. 
Per-centage composition. 


Fresh plants. Dry. 
Water 81:917 
Organic matters ...... 16°837 2 5) 
Inorganic matters...... 1°246 6°89 
100:000 _. 100-000 
_ June 28.—The plants were in flower. Mean temperature, from their first 
appearance above the soil (60 days), 53°°7 Fahr. 
July 7.—One plant in flower was taken. Height, 29 inches. 
entire plant, 26:05 grs. 
Weight. of 
Per-centage composition. 


Fresh plants. Dry. 
Water... cc aay ss 73°32) 
Organic matters........ 25°144 94°25 
Inorganic matters ...... aoa 5°25 
100°000 100-000 
July 28.—One plant of flax, in seed, was taken; height above ground, 
31 inches, root 53 long; length from ceri of the ‘Feld to the first branch 
24 inches. 
The weight of the entire plant was.71°1 grs. 
About 5 inches ‘of the lower end of stem had become yellow. 
Per-centage composition. 


Fresh plant. Dry. 
Water. : 52. Pst ane’ 69°210 
Organic matters... .. 30°045 97°58 
Inorganic matters ..,... 0°745 2°42 
100°000 100°00 
fue, 
