CROP COMPOSITION 



221 



edge exists concerning the variations of the individual 

 compounds occurring under this general head. 



The percentage of protein in plants is very sensitive to 

 irrigation. The more water used, the smaller is the per- 

 centage of protein in the resulting plant. This is almost 

 invariably true. In the following table is given the per- 

 centage of protein in several crops, when small, medium 

 or large quantities of water were used in the production 

 of the crop. 



PERCENTAGE OF PROTEIN IN DRY MATTER WITH VARYING DEGREES 

 OF IRRIGATION 



Every crop in the table, even apples, pears and small 

 fruits, shows a diminishing percentage of protein with 

 an increasing volume of irrigation water. The law is 



