THE ASI OF THE SEED. 51 
These fertilizers, therefore, should be applied sparingly. 
The elements which they contain should be applied in pro- 
portion to the wants of the plant. During the earlier 
stages of its growth, it might be stimulated to greater 
activity with advantage. And for this purpose the appli- 
cation in small quantities of Peruvian guano or hen manure 
may be recommended. This, in addition to the ammo- 
niacal salts, contains the different phosphates in large pro- 
portion, which are important constituents of the cane, but 
it should be apptied only.in such quantity as that its high- 
est stimulating power may be exhausted before the plant 
has attained sufficient size to absorb more pernicious in- 
gredients. Although but a small percentage of the mate- 
rials for the growth of the cane is derived from the soil 
(6 per cent. Lousiana cane), the elements of sugar, carbon, 
and water being obtained from the air or the decay of 
plants in the soil, it is well known that the mineral ingre- 
dients or salts appropriated from the soil are indispensable 
to the plant. The following analysis of the ashes of the 
different parts of the plant will show of what these consist. 
They were made with the utmost care, from fresh and ripe 
specimens of a good quality, by Dr. Jackson, of Boston. 
(Ag. Rep. Patent Office, 1857, p. 192.) 
Of the seed, 1000 grains on burning gave 27°8 grains 
of gray ashes, composed of 
EMREM eae anos vateas suicseavehese pas baawer «so ee 10-000 grains. 
PGUPNOTICACIO 0. cn tiec diese atececedoreree 6-740  «§ 
RNa alk oases pac saasiehs inssensedainas ee 200." “*6 
BME UREA oda gta ais 5eup claws se'die ovine duces tsinoautane 3-o00" =e 
MOAR idaccans ce ce rivets savven tus sesees sisessce 4-260 «6 
Ecol pare sided esi ce ondneea'vus pycincedelats pea ee 
ala daicahs ba sivnd daScanielcacuiscwes 0-018 
Pe PUMTIC ACHE =! -cecceiedlciccds scivcb toss sbece O:222 .- 
eer a NCI oo ie cans camcels cmdapsese wings 0-600 «6 
Oxide of Iron and Manganese, with loss. 0-110 * 
27-800 
