226 Prof. Norton on the Analysis of the Oat. 
Tape IV. 
July 16. jJuly 23. jJuly 30. | Aug. 6. {Aug. 13. |Aug. 20.|Aug. 27.| Sept. 3.| 
Per cent. of yecagi 55:01 | 56°95 | 50-49 | 45-04 nee a so 08 | 40-44 | 21-96 
Per cent. of 2: 392 |} 6-08 |..7-83 1:20 | 13:38. | 21-43 
Do. calculated as 6:00 | 9-11 | 12:28 | 13-75 18 68 1. 07 | 22:46 © 27-47 
The quantity of oe given by the above table is much less, 
while that of ash is much greater, than in any other part of ee 
unri lant. The éxttaordinary quantity of 27 per cent., 
given in the third line, is very remarkable. It is to be obaeeltaly 
however, that in no other specimen of chaff have I found so high 
a per-centage. The crop, as I have before stated, was unusually 
vigorous, and grown on a deep rich loam, where every thing it 
required seems to have been in abundance, and the per-centage 
of ash in every part is uncommonly large. It will be noticed that 
the meh of ash is more steadily progressive than in any of the 
ae 
5. Of t the Quantity of Ash in the Oat.—It is necessary for 
me 3 here to explain, that, in speaking of the Oat, I always mean 
the seed and husk together. By the Grain, I mean the seed 
divested of its husk. This distinction will prevent confusion. 
The oats did not become sufficiently developed for separation 
from the stalk until the 2d of July. The same treatment was 
pursued as with the other parts, and the following table exhibits 
the results 
Tasce V. 
| july July July aly (98 July Aug. Ang. Aug-( ah aR 4 
Per cent. of Wy atet, ‘ = 84 % 56 o = 63° ne 206 6 “4A 5s a 49-76 & rae 30°74 
Per cent. of A : “94| 1-02) 1 1:33} 1-60) 1 1-87] 1-83} 1-96). 2-53) 
Do. calculated om i 4:91) 4:36 3 38) 3-62} 4-22) 
4-31] 407] 364) 351) 365 
Diiring the growth of this part of the plant, the per-centage of 
water steadily decreased to considerably less than one-half of 0 
original quantity. As in the stalk, this has caused an apparent 
increase of ash (second line), but when calculated dry (third line , 
there is an actual decrease. This diminution of ash occurs only 
in these two parts of the plant. [have already given a probable 
explanation of the cause in the stalk, and think that one equally 
simple may be given as to the oat itself, Eve 
noticed its growth, knows that the husk, being necessary for the 
protection of the grain, is formed first, and attains nearly its full 
size while the grain is yet scarcely visible, A subsequent. table 
will show that the husk contains about three times as much 
as the grain. During the first growth of the oat, this husk, re- 
quiring an abundance of inorganic materials, is to be form 
we accordingly find such a proportion of these materials present, 
as are not found at any subsequent period. When the husk is 
formed the grain enlarges, and as it gradually becomes three- 
