28 Composition and Nutritive Value of Straw. 



In its general character the ash of bean-straw resembles inti- 

 mately that of pea-straw. Like the latter, it is rich in carbonate 

 of lime, and it also contains a good deal of phosphoric acid and 

 potash, and but little silica. My results differ widely from Pro- 

 lessor Way's analysis of bean-straw, as given by Mr. Horsfall, 

 in his Essay on Dairy-farming, where the composition of bean- 

 straw is given as follows : 



Moisture 14*47 



Albuminous matter 16*38 



Oil and fatty matters 2*23 



Starch and gum 31*63 



Woody fibre 25*84 



Mineral matters 9*45 



100*00 



It will be observed among other particulars 



1. That I do not find more oil in bean than in wheat straw. 



2. iThat the proportion of albuminous matters whictt I found 

 in a very fair specimen is not quite so large as in good oat or 

 barley straw, and that it amounts to scarcely one-fourth the 

 quantity which Professor Way is reported to have found in bean- 

 straw. 



3. That I do not mention starch as a constituent of bean- 

 stalks. 



4. That instead of only 26 per cent, of woody fibre, as stated in 

 Professor Way's analysis, the bean-straw analysed in my labora- 

 tory contained no less than 65J per cent, of indigestible woody 

 fibre. 



5. The proportion of matters soluble in water is by no means 

 large. 



6. Lastly, that the crude woody fibre of the bean-straw exa- 

 mined by me was very little acted upon by dilute alkaline and 

 acid liquid, and, therefore, produced but very little digestible 

 fibre. 



The second sample, on analysis, gave the following results : 



Bean-straw, taken from the Farm-buildings, October 31st, 1861. 



General Composition. 



Water 17*75 



Substances soluble in water 6*86 



Substances insoluble in water 75*39 



100*00 



