132 



THE CLOVER 



about 80 per cent, of water, 18 to 19 per cent, of organic 

 matters, and 1*5 to 2 per cent, of inorganic matters or ash. 

 When dried in the air and made into hay these proportions 

 are altered by the evaporation of about three -fourths 

 of the water, the clover losing from two-thirds to three- 

 fourths of its original weight. The composition of the 

 inorganic matter or ash of the different species has 

 been determined by several chemists, in this country 

 chiefly by Dr. Voelcker and Dr. Anderson, the chemists 

 to the Royal Agricultural and the Highland Society 

 respectively, who have furnished us with the following 

 results of their examinations: 



These analyses, which relate to the composition of the 

 Hed clover (T. pratense) only, show that the plant, from 

 its powers of partial substitution of one mineral substance 

 for another, is able to carry on its growth in a great 

 variety of soils. 



No. 1 was grown in England from English seed. 

 , 2 was grown in Edinburgh from English seed. 

 , 3 was grown in Edinburgh from seed from Germany. 

 , 4 was grown in Edinburgh from French seed. 

 . , 5 was grown in Edinburgh from American seed. 

 , 6 was grown in Edinburgh from Dutch seed. 



The composition of the ash of the other species of 



