EEPOKT OF THE CHEMIST. 



145 



In practice the amount of meal obtained from the best varieties does 

 not exceed 50 per cent. Our results show that the kernel stands to the 

 husk, on the average, in the proportion of 7 to 3 for all parts of the coun- 

 try, those from the Western States being a little less hnsky. As ex- 

 tremes are found among the averages for the different States — 7G.l'f>er 

 cent, of kernel in Washington Territory, and 61.17 for Utah, one sample 

 from Washington Territory having 79.28 per cent., and one from Dakota 

 only 55.37. The extremes in weight per bushel, as indicated by the 

 samples received, are 29.5 in Connecticut, and 48.8 and 48.G in Colorado 

 and Dakota respectively. The average weight for the whole countrv is 

 37.2—38.0 for the Xorthem States, 34.5 for the' Southern, and 43.2" for 

 tbe Pacific slope. The specimens are probably, many of them, above 

 tbe average, owing to the fact already mentioned that correspondents, 

 unconsciously perhaps, select samples which are not fair representatives 

 to send to the Dei)artment. Among themselves, however, the results 

 will fairly bear comparison. 



The warm climate of the South lowers the average per bushel 2.7 

 pounds, and diminishes the yield per acre from 30 bushels, often raised 

 in the Xorth, to about 10. The relative proportion of kernel is not pro- 

 portionately affected, the average being but 1.62 per cent, more of husk 

 than in the Xorth. This result is rather surprising, but is deduced from 

 the examination of 90 specimens of Northern oats and GG of Southern. 

 Where the white oats will grow they are generally heavier than others 

 and have a larger proportion of kernel. 



The Southern oats are above the average weight per hundred grains 

 for the whole country and for the North, being above the average in 

 size. Following are the figures : 



Weight of oats per hundred grains and per htuhel. 



Weight 

 oflOO 

 grains. 



Weight 



per 

 bushel. 



United States... 

 Northern States 

 Southern States . 

 Pacific slope 



Oramt. 

 2.507 

 2.290 

 2.628 



2.737 



Pounds. 

 37.2 

 38.0 

 34.2 

 43.2 



The looseness of the husk and its additional size are the occasion of 

 the smaller weight per bushel of the Southern grain, while the well-filled 

 husk of the Pacific coast furnishes the heaviest oats we have. Colorado, 

 too, distinguishes itself by samples, three in number, grown by Professor 

 Blount, averaging 43 pounds. 



In their chemical composition the samples proved rather surprising. 

 It was reasonable to suppose that, as tbey are so susceptible of dete- 

 rioration and sensitive to the influence of their environment, great va- 

 riations would be found in their composition under different climatic 

 conditions, as is the case with wheats. As will be seen this has not 

 proved to be so. 



Although oats are fed in the husk to stock, it was thought best, for 

 purposes of comparison with wheat and corn, to analyze the kernel sep- 

 arately. In this way it is possible to compare the diflerent specimens 

 independently of the proportion of husk which they possess, and then, 

 if desirable, from the separate analyses the composition of the entire 

 grain can be calculated. 



10 AQ— '85 



