184 THE RYE CROP. 



The grain, like that of all huskless seeds, contains large 

 proportions of phosphoric acid, and but little silica. 



Although the straw of rye differs much from that of 

 the other cereals, and is rarely used for fodder purposes, 

 its composition would show that it contains a consider- 

 able amount of nutritious matter, though, probably, com- 

 bined in such an indigestible form as to reduce practically 

 its feeding powers. According to Boussingault, its com- 

 position may be taken as follows : 



Nitrogen compounds, 1*52 



Compounds not containing nitrogen, soluble in potash,.. 37*10 

 insoluble in potash, 39'75 



Ash (mineral matter), 2'93 



Water, 1870 



100-00 



The proportion of ash varies greatly : from 3 to 5 per 

 cent, may be taken as the average amount. This ash is 

 composed, according to Will and Fresenius, of 



Potash, 17-36 



Soda -31 



Lime, 9'06 



Magnesia, 2'41 



Oxide of Iron, 1'36 



Phosphoric acid,.... 3'82 



Sulphuric acid,, '83 



Silica, 64-50 



Chlorine, "46 



100-11 



The peculiar difference between rye and the bread made 

 from it, and from wheat, for instance, appears to reside 

 in the bran, which not only exists in larger proportions, 

 but possesses hygrometric properties not met with in 

 the bread made from the other cereals, which give it the 

 advantage of remaining moist and fresh to the palate 

 far longer than any other description of bread. It has 

 been observed that the inner skin of the husk or bran 



