X\ 
Prof. Norton on the Analysis of the Oat. 231 
The following table illustrates this. 
Average per-centage of Ash in Six Samples of Oat Strav. 
Tasxe XII. 
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, No. 6, 
Hopeton. | Hopeton. Dun. Sandy. | Potato. Potato. 
Average per cent. of ash. | 5°46 5-02 | 7°29 Yd) 8.76 8-65 
We see here a range of a little more than 4 from the lowest to 
the highest per-centage. If there were 3000 lbs. of straw upon 
an acre, the difference between the weights of inorganic matter 
carried off by the two crops, Nos. 2 and 5, would amount to about 
128 Ibs. per acre. ‘Though they do not exactly agree, yet there 
is a much nearer approach to agreement in the two samples of 
Hopeton oats, and in the two samples of Potato oats, seeming to 
indicate that the average quantities of ash are more nearly alike 
in the same variety. This is very singular if true, but needs 
further proof. If the average of the above six trials can be con- 
sidered as a standard, the usual per-centage of ash in oat straw is 
now sufficiently distinct, I come to an inquiry of much importance ; 
quality at different heights of the same stalk. Dividing the straw 
into three par each part 
separately, the results are as follows. 
have always divided them into three portions. 1. That which was soluble in 
water; 2. That which was soluble in acid; 3. That which remained insoluble. It 
each division was subject to analyses separately. ; 
I. The watery solution.—T his was first. evaporated to dryness, heated to drive off 
nic matter, and weighed. To the dry mass water was then added, and asmall 
portion always refused to re-dissolve. is was, in several instances, analyzed, 
and found to be chiefly soluble silica. In my later analyses this was added to the 
acid solution, to save time. 
To the re-dissolved part of the watery solution— 
cies Nitrate of silver was added to throw down the chlorine, the liquid bein 
‘previously acidulated by nitric acid. e precipitate was collected, burned a 
weighed, with the usual precautions. hase 
ial H ss of silver having been thrown down by hydrochloric acid, and 
removed by filtration, nitrate of baryta was added to obtain the sulphuric acid. 
This precipitate was allowed to stand ‘at Jeast twelve bours before filtration. = 
B. After removing the excess af baryta from the soluttop, by; sulphuric acid, 
hydrosulpburet of ammonia was added, to. throw, down the manganese, 
The phosphoric acid was determined by the method of Berthier, well known to 
analvtical oh - pri AE pale 1 , 1 1 if ploy ; 
and there is no iron in the solution. 
_ 4. The solution was next evaporated to dryness, and the sulphate of potash and 
soda weighed together, then re-dissolved, and the potash obtained by the bi-chlorid 
of platinum, e precipitate, collected and weighed in the usual manner, was 
an 
