GBAMINEOUS CBOPS. 



123 



infested field yielded 1 ton 9 owts. of hay, or a reduction 

 of 19 cwts. per acre on the previous year's crop. Tair 

 samples of hay (dried at 100° C.) from each crop gave on 

 analysis the following results : — 



The above table sho-ws that the most valuable consti- 

 tuents (albuminoids and soluble carbohydrates) are con- 

 siderably reduced in the hay from the infested crop ; 

 ■while the -woody fibre i is increased by nearly 6 per cent. 

 It must be remarked that the spring and early summer of 

 1887 were dry, while those of 1888 were ivet, and there- 

 fore promoted the growth of the straw blight. After the 

 previously mentioned strip of grass land had been treated 

 with iron sulphate, the grass became healthy and de- 

 veloped a bright-green colour. Microscopical sections of 

 this grass were examined, but not the slightest trace of 

 the straw blight was perceptible. 



The straw blight, as already stated, attacks cereals as 

 well as grasses. It is sometimes prevalent (especially in 

 wet seasons) in the spring and summer, and may be re- 

 cognised by the appearance of brown spots near the base 

 of infested stems. 



' Woody fibre is digested with difficulty by farm animals. 



