264 



THE PEA CROP. 



by those of Liebig, who reduced the several proximate 

 organic compounds to their ultimate elements, which he 

 found to exist in the following proportions: 1 



At the same time, without questioning their correct- 

 ness, we find that these results give a higher value to the 

 pea-straw of the Continent than our own possesses, by 

 which, of course, we must be guided in fixing its compara- 

 tive value as a feeding substance. 



It has been quite recently the subject of a careful in- 

 vestigation by Dr. Voelcker, who gives its organic com- 

 position as follows: 



. Water, ................................................................... 16'02 



Compounds containing nitrogen albumen, ................... .. 8 '86 



Compounds not containing nitrogen oil and fat, ............... 2'34 



,, ,, gum, and digestible fibre, 25'06 



,, ,, indigestible fibre, ......... 4279 



Ash (mineral matter), ................................................ 4'93 



These results, though somewhat less favourable than the 

 preceding, clearly show us that pea-straw is far more 

 valuable for fodder purposes than the straw of any of 

 our other cultivated crops. 



" In these ultimate analyses, the substances were previously dried at a 

 temperature of 110 centig.=:250 Fah., by which all their water was driven 

 off, and the relative proportions of constituents consequently increased. 



