VARIATIONS IN POODS. 



93 



the character of the soil and season. In the case of per- 

 fectly matured produce, as, for instance, ripe seed, the 

 variations in composition are not generally considerable, 

 and an average composition, such as is given in the table, 

 will be found in most cases pretty correct. But in the 

 case of immature produce, such as meadow grass, tur- 

 nips, or maugels, the composition largely depends on the 

 stage of growth in which the plant is taken, and is also 

 greatly affected by the character of the manuring. It 

 may be generally stated that as a plant matures the pro- 

 portion of water, nitrogenous matter, and ash constitu- 

 ents diminishes, while the proportion of carbo-hydrates 

 largely increases, At the same time the amides become 

 more or less converted into albuminoids. 



The following table shows the percentage composition 

 of meadow grass cut at three different dates in the same 

 field. The first cutting will represent pasture grass fed 

 off in the green state by stock ; the second cutting is 

 good ordinary hay; the third cutting is an over- ripe hay, 

 somewhat coarse and stemmy, but well harvested. The 

 composition given in every case is that of the dry sub- 

 stance : 



COMPOSITION OF HAY HAEVESTED AT DIFFERENT DATES. 



Young grass is thus much richer in nitrogenous sub- 

 stance, and contains a smaller proportion of indigestible 



