Prof. Norton on the Analysis of the Oat. 225 
which enables it to furnish an abundance of these materials at the 
time when they are most needed! Between the 6th and the 27th 
of August, the demand upon the straw was very great; at this 
riod the grain was most rapidly attaining its full size; the leaf 
also between the 13th and the 20th of August, increased its per- 
centage of ash from 16 to 21. When these parts have attained 
their full size, and approach maturity, the ash in the stalk begins 
to accumulate again, as is seen in the last two weeks. This is 
at the same time that the decrease in the leaf, mentioned above, 
takes place. 
_ From the very large per-centage of water in the stalk on the 
3d.of September, when the oats were cut, it is evident that there 
must be an immense diminution during the drying of harvest, as 
Ihave seldom found’ more than 13 or 14 per cent. of water in 
straw taken from a well-made stack. This will appear in a sub- 
solid masses. ‘'T'o ascertain if the quantity of ash in the knots 
of oats varied greatly from that in the whole straw, these trials 
were made, 
Taste III. 
July 23. July 30. | Aug. 6. jAug. 13.) Aug. 20.) Aug. 27.) Sept. 3. 
re 2 i 
Per cent. of Water, . . | 76:05 | 75-54 | 74-82 | 75-29. | 75°38 | 73°55 | 70-65 
Percent. of Ash,. . .| 240] 2 263 | 280} 2 < 3-14 
Do. calculated dry,; ... }10-02.| 9-60 | 10-44,1 10-48 | 11-79 | 11-27 110-7 
‘The variation in the per-centage of water in this table is not 
large. The ash is, in accordance with Professor Johnston’s 
ng. . : 
_ 4. Of the Quantity of Ash in the Chaff—The determina- 
ons of ash and water in this part of the plant c on 
the 16th of July. Imust here mention, that by the chaff I 
mean the outer covering which envelopes the oat during its 
growth; becoming looser as it ripens, and finally falling off du- 
Per-centage of ash and water exhibited as before. 
Seconp Serigs, Vol. III, No. 8—March, 1847. 29 
