i \ Q pattie ies Ae pote 3 mek L % A ae ut LN id emg 
290 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, 
diminution of the mucilage. The albuminoids, as would be ex- eee 
analysis in the natural and cooked condition, and changes produced ‘ 
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pected, diminish in the older joints, but the percentage of non-al 
buminoid nitrogen increases. In the same way the ash, oil, fat, or 
resin decrease, and the fiber increases, all in the same mannerasin. 
other plants. In the fruit also the changes are those to have been 
expected. ce a ; 
The results obtained by steaming do not explain the purging effect, _ 
and without a more thorough study of the products it must be at- 
tributed to the increased acidity. The changes make the constit- 
uents of a joint of the previous year’s growth less soluble in alcohol, ~ — 
but the reverse is the case with the growth of the first season; there 
is reason, however, to believe that this may merely be apparent and 
due to the difficulty of selecting exactly comparable specimens for 
in drying the moist material. ; san 
The entire investigation can make no claim to completeness, hav- — 
ing been undertaken at moments when no other official work inter- ~~ 
fered, but will serve to call attention to a plant which is of consider- 
able economic importance and scientific interest from its relations to 
others of the same region, without entering into a thorough diseus- i 
sion of the possibilities and best methods of its use. ‘oa 
MISCELLANEOUS WORK. ge 
The miscellaneous work done by this division during the past year 
has been of an exceedingly varied character. . ap 
Many samples of minerals, ores, clays, etc., were received for iden- 
tification and valuation, and in most cases proved to be of little or no 
value. For example, persons finding a piece of rock with a few par- 
ticles.of pyrites embedded in it frequently would imagine they had 
found an ore containing a precious metal owing to the metallic luster 
and color of the pyrites; and the specimen would be forwarded to 
this Department for assay. ey 
.The following is a partial list of such samples as were analyzed, 
mere inspection, in very many cases, being sufficient to ascertain 
their value: Ph eg 
(1) Mineral sent by Burrel Laseter, Rule, Ark.: Calcite and pyrites; of no value. 
(2) Mineral sent by James Randolph, Neverfail, Tenn.: Granitic rock with py- x 
rites; no value. 4 
(3) Mineral sent by Joseph Watson, Nelsonville, Tex.: Limestone; tested for phos- 
phoric acid with negative results. i oY 
(4) Mineral sent by John Osborne, Fiag Pond, Va.: Limonite, an iron ore of little | 
commercial value. x 
(5) Sent by George Dugan, Kansas City, Mo.: Blue sandstone; unfit for building ‘ 
purposes owing to the presence of pyrites. " 
6) Sent by G. W. Robinett, Flag Pond, Va.: Galena and limestone. . 3 ae 
7) Sent by J. A.G. Blackburn, War Eagle Mills, Ark.: Limestone. ny 
(8) Sent by Frank Long, Fayetteville, Ark.: Pyrites in sandstone. 
(9) Sent by Frank Long, Fayetteville, Ark.: Iron ore (Hematite). 
(10) Sent by Frank Long, Fayetteville, Ark.: 
(11) Sent by Frank Long, Fayetteville, Ark.: 
(12) Sent by Frank Long, Fayetteville, Ark.: 
.: Limestone. 
(14) Sent by Frank Long, Fayetteville, Ark.: 
(15) Sent by Frank Long, Fayetteville, Ark,: 
(13) Sent by Frank Long, Fayetteville, Ark 
(16) Sent by Frank Long,Fayetteville, Ark.: 
Manganese ore (Wad.). 
Pyrites. 
Epidote in quartz, 
Pyrites partly oxidized. 
Limestone. 
Silicified wood, 
(17) Sent by Lee Breeding, Springdale, Tenn.: Pyrites. a 
(18) Sent by Alex. Moseley, Buckingham Court-House, Va.: Gneiss, epidote, ane 
biotite, 
