6 Composition of the Yellow Lupine, 



In the next table is stated the detailed composition of lupines, 

 both in a natural state and dried at 21 2 J Fahr. : 



Detailed Composition of Yellow Lupines (cut down in a green state). 



In Natural Dried at 



State. 212 F. 



Water 89-20 



Oil ' '37 3-42 



*Solul)le albuminous compounds T37 12*68 



Soluble mineral (saline) substances .. .. "61 5'64 



f Insoluble albuminous compounds .. .. I'Ol 9'35 



Sugar, gum, bitter extractive matter, and I n.ng 36-f8 



digestible fibre J 



Indigestible woody fibre (cellulose) .. .. 3'29 30'48 



Insoluble mineral matters . .... '19 i'75 



100-00 100-00 



"Containing nitrogen '22 2'03 



{"Containing nitrogen '16 1*48 



The juice of the green plants has a somewhat bitter taste, 

 which is due to a bitter principle, the nature of which I have 

 not further examined. 



Sheep and cattle soon get accustomed to lupine, and even like it 

 much after some time ; out pigs, it appears, refuse this kind of food. 



With respect to the nutritive qualities of green lupines, I 

 would observe that the plants grown by Mr. Kimber are not 

 nearly so nutritious as clover, lucerne, sainfoin, green rye, and 

 rape, and indeed most other crops grown as green food. The 

 large proportion of woody fibre and, comparatively speaking, the 

 small amount of sugar in these lupines, certainly do not speak in 

 their favour. On the other hand they contain quite as large an 

 amount of albuminous or flesh-forming matters as the better kinds 

 of crops grown as green food ; but the amount of albuminous 

 matters in food, as has been stated repeatedly in former contri- 

 butions of mine, cannot be regarded as a trustworthy indication 

 of the feeding or fattening qualities of any kind of green food. 



Oreen food, described by practical men as good, sweet, nutri- 

 tious herbage, like good roots, I find, invariably contains a con- 

 siderable proportion of sugar. The deficiency of this constituent 

 in lupines, coupled with the large amount of woody fibre and 

 water, justifies me in considering lupines decidedly inferior to 

 clover and other artificial grasses usually grown in this country 

 as food for cattle and sheep. 



Nevertheless, lupines cut down green under peculiar circum- 

 stances, when grown, for instance, on very poor sandy soils, on 

 which more valuable crops will not thrive, will no doubt be found 

 a useful auxiliary food. 



These observations, it should be remembered, apply more 

 especially to the specimens examined by me, and not generally 

 to lupines grown under other and probably more favourable 



