244 ANALYSES OF MAIZE. 



3. Jinalysis of the cob of White-flint. 



Silica i;V600 



Earthy phosphates 23-924 



Lime 300 



Magnesia 0900 



Potash 35-802 



Soda 5-914 



Chlorine 0-132 



Sulphuric acid 0-345 



Organic matter ...... 2-314 



Carbonic acid ...... 6-134 



89-365 



In each of the foregoing results, the quantity of silica is greater than in the 8- rowed 

 yellow corn growing beside it, and treated in the same way. The ash, in its physical 

 properties, appeared more siliceous than it usually is, and hence I have no doubt the 

 analyses are correct : it goes to show that the same plant may take up and assimilate a 

 greater amount of inorganic matter imder some circumstances, than in others. This corn, 

 besides being supplied with manure of the horse, mixed with coal ashes in the hill, was 

 ashed with unleached ashes. The consequence was that the crop gave a remarkably 

 sound hard grain ; it would seem that this treatment had some share in producing the 

 excess of silica obtained in the foregoing analyses. 



INTERMIXTURE OF VARIETIES OF MAIZE. 



Farmers are familiar with the fact that two or more varieties of maize grow upon the 

 same ear. The fact is an interesting one, though it has not elicited much attention. Dr. 

 Jackson, however, in his New-Hampshire Report, notices it, and states what is undoubtedly 

 true, that each kernel of the varieties retains its own powers of appropriating its nutriment. 

 Now we may carry back our inquiries a step farther : Whence is derived this power — this 

 special power 1 This question, it is true, must be answered by reference to its own indi- 

 vidual and original condition ; but the source of this power is undoubtedly due to the 

 male blossom, or its effective part, the pollen grain. A pollen grain of the Tuscarora 

 variety, falling upon the silk, is transmitted to its insertion, and enters the embryo cell. 

 It is in fact a living cell detached from the Tuscarora kind : it has its beginning within the 

 individual from which it is detached, and implants itself into the nidus formed for it in the 

 Sweet, or some other variety of its own specific kind. Although grown upon an ear of the 

 Sweet corn, it produces, when planted, the Tuscarora variety. This may not be entirely 

 true to the letter, as the grain may have been mixed the first year ; but ultimately the 



