THE BARLEY CROP. 133 



to about 4 per cent, on the grain used, and are collected 

 and sold for feeding purposes under the names of " kiln- 

 dust/' " malt-dust," " combings/'' and indeed are of a very 

 nutritive character when free from dirt and rubbish. Mr. 

 Lawes' investigations 1 show us that the dry combings, or 

 malt-dust, contain about 88 per cent, of organic matter, 

 yielding nearly 26 per cent, of nitrogen compounds, or 

 about double the amount contained by the grain itself; 

 and Professor Johnston's analyses have shown us that on 

 the average they contain 7 '25 per cent, of inorganic mat- 

 ter, consisting of the following ingredients: 



Potash and Soda, 3678 



Lime,../". 3'09 



Magnesia, 5*46 



Oxide of Iron, 1'09 



Phosphoric acid, 24'87 



Sulphuric acid, 4'84 



Chlorine, 7'95 



Silica (soluble), 1'80 



Silica, 13-96 



99-84 



These results teach us the real value of malt-dust, 

 whether for feeding or manurial purposes. They show 

 us that it contains a larger per centage of nitrogen or 

 flesh -forming compounds than the ordinary oil -cakes, 

 whether from linseed or rape, while its mineral constitu- 

 ents are also greatly in excess. If used for feeding, it 

 may be given with chaff as steamed food ; and if used as 

 manure, its action is much accelerated by previously 

 moistening it in a heap, which speedily sets up a fermen- 

 tative process, and renders it more soluble in the soil. 



1 A vast amount of very interesting and valuable information on these 

 points may be obtained from Mr. Lawes' paper in the Roy. Agri. Soc. Jour., 

 from the article "Malt" in the Cyclopedia of Agriculture, and from Professor 

 Johnston's Agricultural Chemistry, &c., p. 883. 



