10 COMPOSITION OF GREEN RYE AND RAPE. 



(b.) In stalks. 



I. II. Average. 



Per-centage of ash, . 1.25 1.15 1.20 



(c.) In roots. 



Per-centage of ash, . 1.84 1.66 1.75 



Protein compounds. (a.) In leaves. The proportion of pro- 

 tein compounds was determined by multiplying the per-centage of 

 nitrogen, as ascertained by combustion with soda-lime with 6J. 

 According to the periods of gathering, the per-centage of nitrogen 

 in the leaves appears to vary to some extent. The following are 

 some of the results obtained by combustion : 



1. Per-centage of nitrogen in dry leaves, 3.31 equal to 20.68 protein compounds. 



2. _ _ 3.41 _ 21.31 



3. ^ 3.87 _ 24.19 



4. _ _ 3.49 _ 21.81 _ 



5. ^ 3.54 22.12 



6. _ _ 4.02 _ 25.12 _ 



7. ^ 3.45 21.56 , 



Average, 3.58 22.37 



(6.) In stalks. 



1. Per-centage of nitrogen in dry stalks, 1.14 equal to 7.12 protein compounds. 



2. ^ _ 1.00 6.25 



3. Average ~~ 1.07 6.69 



The stems are thus far less nutritious than the leaves. 

 (c.) In roots. 



1. Per-centage of nitrogen in dry roots, 1.72 equal to 10.75 protein compounds. 



2. ^ 1.86 11.62 ^ 



3. Average _ _ 1.79 _ 11.19 



According to these different determinations, the general average 

 composition of the leaves, stalks, and roots of fresh rape may be 

 expressed as follows : 



Leaves. Stalks. Roots. 



Water, . - . . . . 87.09 92.42 82.45 



Nitrogenised substances (flesh-forming consti- 

 tuents), . . . 2.88 0.51 1.96 



Non-nitrogenised matters (capable of producing 



fat, and fitted for support of respiration), 8.37 5.87 13.84 



Inorganic matters (ash), . . 1.66 1.20 1.75 



100.00 100.00 100.00 



And that of the dried portions of rape : 



Leaves. Stalks. Roots. 



Nitrogenised substances (flesh-forming consti- 

 tuents), . . . . 22.37 6.69 11.19 



Substances free from nitrogen (heat and fat- 

 producing matters), . .. 64.78 77.48 78.84 



Inorganic substances (ash), . ,. 12.85 15.83 9.97 



100.00 100.00 100.00 



Rape-leaves contain a considerable proportion of sulphur and 

 phosphorus in a peculiar state of organic combination. I there- 



