300 THE FLAX CROP. 



a glass of water. If left there without motion, it will 

 remain a long time before it is entirely dissolved, whereas 

 if it be passed up and down through the water, or the 

 latter have motion given to it, so that in either case 

 changed surfaces be brought in contact with each, the 

 solution is readily effected. By Buchanan's process the 

 steep liquor was equally available as by Watts'. This was 

 examined by Dr. Hodges, who gave the following as the 

 results of his investigation into its composition. One 

 gallon evaporated to dryness, gave 



Of organic matter, ................................... 353*97 grains. 



Of inorganic matter, ............................... 161*49 ,, 



Total extractive matter, ................... 515*46 grains. 



The organic matter afforded on analysis 



Of nitrogen, .................................... 1779 grains, or equal to 



Of nitrogen compounds, ..................... 110*82 grains in the gallon. 



The inorganic matter possessed the following composi- 

 tion : 



Potash, ....... .................... 27*17 44*63 



Soda, .......................................... 3*18 5*12 



Lime, .......................................... 5*91 9*49 



Magnesia, ..................................... 4*60 7*40 



Peroxide of Iron, ............ ............... -83 1*33 



Phosphoric acid, ............................. 5*66 9*01 



Sulphuric acid, ........................ ...... 15*64 25*11 



Carbonic acid, ............................... 12*43 19*96 



Silica, ....................................... 3*00 4*83 



Chloride of Sodium, ........................ 21*58 34*61 



100-00 161*49 



The taste and smell of the liquor very much resembled 

 that of hay, and when poured over the crushed " bolls," * 

 or chaff, it was readily consumed by cows and pigs, which 

 appeared to thrive upon it. No purgative effect had been 

 produced, while its nutritive properties were, according to 



1 The seed "bolls" themselves contain, on the average, about 9 to 10 per cent. 

 of nitrogen compounds. 



