Composition and Nutritive Value of Straw. 15 



Stubble, then, contains as much nitrogenized matters as straw, 

 which it closely resembles in other particulars, the chief differ- 

 ence being its somewhat smaller proportion of oil. 



It has been stated by practical men that stubble has no direct 

 value as a manure, and not much as litter. If this be so, it 

 follows inevitably that wheat-straw has no direct value as a 

 manure, for both straw and stubble contain as nearly as possible 

 the same proportions of nitrogenized and carbonaceous and 

 mineral matters. 



BARLEY-STRAW. 



Barley, especially if good malting barley, is generally allowed 

 to turn more yellow in the field than any other grain -crop. The 

 barley-straw on our farms, therefore, is seldom so nutritious as it 

 might be, if the crop were cut down in a less advanced stage of 

 maturity. The following analysis was made of barley-straw*, 

 which I am inclined to term dead-ripe, although it is the usual 

 condition in which it is seen in our neighbourhood : 



General Composition. 



Water 15-20 



Soluble organic matter 2*92 



Soluble inorganic matter .. .. * 2*88 



Insoluble organic matter 77*62 



Insoluble mineral matter .... 1'38 



100-00 



Detailed Composition. 



Water 15'20 



Oil 1-36 



* Albumen and other soluble protein compounds '68 



Sugar, mucilage, extractive matters, &c. (soluble in water) .. 2-24 



Digestible fibre, &c 5*97 



Soluble inorganic matter 2 -88 



t Insoluble protein compounds 3' 75 



Indigestible woody fibre 66"54 



Insoluble inorganic matter 1-38 



100-00 



""Containing nitrogen 1 1 



fContaining nitrogen *60 



Total percentage of nitrogen *71 



Equal to protein compounds 4*43 



Total percentage of ash .. 4-26 



These results suggest one or two remarks. 



In the first place : That the appreciable quantity of oil contained 

 in barley, as in wheat-straw, must contribute to its nutritive 

 value. 



