Ivi. 



valuable for feeding pnrposes in any of oui' green crops as the oil in a 

 cotton or linseed cake, but it is present in nearly three times the usual 

 quantity in Lathyrus sylvestris. Albuminoids. — The compound nitrogen, 

 according to Professor Wagner's analyses, appears to be present very 

 largely in the form of true albuminoids, the quantity of amide nitrogen 

 being very small. I have not ascertained this quantity, because recent 

 experiments appear to prove that the amide compounds protect the true 

 albuminoids from oxidation in the p'-ncess of animal nutrition. Hence 

 the ordinary commercial method is sufficiently accurate for the farmer's 

 purposes ; the amount of amide nitrogen in young and in the younger 

 parts of plants is always in excess of that found in the mature plant. 

 Cattle appear to prefer and to thrive upon young succulent herbage. The 

 albuminoid ratio being 1 to 4.5 most nearly resembles the concentration of 

 bran 1 : 4.2 than any other commonly-used single food. Hence it must 

 be considered a very concentrated food, which in practice it will be found 

 desirable to dilute with straw or turnips until the desired ratio is reached. 

 The most approved ratio for fatting cattle being 1 : 7 at the commence- 

 ment, which is increased gradually to 1 : 5.5 to finish. The ratio appears 

 correct for sheep or swine without any alteration. The ratio of oats 

 being i : 6.5, it appears more than sufficient for a horse without any corn. 

 AYhen feeding any of our home-grown green fodder, it appears economical 

 to purchase a more concentrated food in order to get the albuminoid ratio 

 up to those standards which have been proved by experiment to be the 

 most economical, but here we have what I trust may become a home- 

 grown food which can be properly diluted with poorer home-grown pro- 

 duce. Hence as Lathyms sylvestris becomes commonly grown the farmer 

 will probably become more and more independent of the cake merchant. 

 Cake being a bye-product in the production of oil will become more 

 difficult to sell, and the market price will tend to the advantage of the 

 farmer. At the same time we must not forget that the plant is yet in 

 the experimental stage. What is known has not been exaggerated, but a 

 more intimate acquaintance may cause us to moderate our present 

 opinion. But lee us hope to the contrary. Cultivation.— T\\q plant more 

 nearly resembles that of a Lucerne than any other at present in cultiva- 

 tion, and in the absence of any better information, I am disposed to 

 advise that it be cultivated upon the same lines, controlled, however, 

 by common-sense observations. It resembles Lucerne in being a member 

 of the same natural order, viz., Leguminoscc, in which we find some of 

 our most useful plants such as clover, beans, peas, vetches, &c. Hence 

 its near relations are well known and highly valued. Like Lucerne it is 

 a perennial, and may require the three years to come to maturity. 



