240 THE CHICORY CROP. 



the produce is reduced from 75 per cent, to 80 per cent, 

 in weight, though its money value is proportionately 

 raised in amount. The return per acre, both in weight 

 of crop and in money, of course is subject to great varia- 

 tions. From 5 to 10 tons of the fresh root may be taken 

 as the range under ordinary circumstances of farming, 

 and the price ranges from 50s. to 100s. per ton. 



We are not in a position to say anything in reference 

 to the diseases to which the crop is liable; and for its 

 chemistry we are indebted to Dr. Anderson, who has inves- 

 tigated the organic and inorganic composition of both 

 leaves and roots. 1 



The organic composition of the leaves is thus given: 



Compounds containing nitrogen, I'Ol 



,, not containing nitrogen, as gum, 



fibre, &c., 6-63 



Ash (mineral matter), , 1'42 



Water, 90'94 



100-00 



The composition of the ash or mineral matter is as 

 follows: 



Potash, 44-38 46'60 



Lime, 10'8l 11'35 



Magnesia.. 2'44 2'57 



Oxideoflron '99 T04 



Phosphoric acid, 6'80 7'14 



Sulphuric acid, 6'81 715 



Carbonic acid, 19-57 20'55 



Silica -77 *81 



Chloride of Potassium, 1'55 1-63 



Sodium, 1-11 1-16 



Sand, 2-80 



Charcoal, 1-29 



99-32 100-00 



The foregoing analysis would indicate that chicory pos- 

 sesses a considerable value as a forage plant, its organic 

 constituents being but little inferior in their feeding value 

 to those of our common turnips. 



For forage purposes it should always be mown and 

 given to the cattle or sheep ; if fed off on the ground by 



\High. Soc. Trans., 1853, p. 63 and 555. 



