384 



GRASSES OF IOWA. 



cut or grazed too closely is useful as an autumn pasturage 

 plant. It seeds more freely than big blue stem. Stock will 

 eat the grass when it is young and fresh, but when old it 

 becomes woody and somewhat unpalatable. 



CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. 



The five samples of Andropogon scoparius analyzed in the 

 laboratory gave results as follows: 



Sample 1. Collected May 27, 1896, 12 to 14 inches high. Sample heavy 

 with water from rain. 



Sample 2. Collected June 8, 189(), 14 to If) inches high. 

 Sample 3. Collected June 18, 1896, 16 to 18 inches high. 

 Sample 4. Collected July 2, 1896, 19 to 20 inches high. 

 Sample 5. Collected July 22, 1896, 24 to 26 inches high. 



NATURAL CONDITION. 



Sample 1 

 Sample 2 

 Sample 3 

 Sample 4 

 Sample 5 



K„5 



12.93 

 15.13 

 15.57 

 19.51 

 16 30 



WATER FREE SUBSTANCE. 



Sample 1. 

 Sample 2. 

 Sample 3. 

 Sample 4 

 Sample 5. 



45.89 

 44 65 

 47.14 

 49.71 

 50.26 



In considering these results the following facts present 

 themselves: The water content of the samples vary between 

 60.76 per cent and 71.84 per cent. These results are not regu- 

 lar. The irregularity is manifes'.ed in the water free sub- 

 stance, as is shown in the fat present. The protein and albu- 

 buminoid percentages also are irregular, which may also be 

 said of the crude fiber, nitrogen free extract and ash content. 



The following analyses are added to the above for com- 

 parison: 



