236 HOW CEOPS GEOW. 



1 : 12}, 1 : 27, 1 : 16, 1 : 23, 1 : 19. 



Accordingly, the absorption of ash-ingredients is not 

 proportional to the growth of the plant, but is to some 

 degree accidental, and independent of the wants of 

 vegetation. 



Becapitulation. — Assuming the quantity of each proxi- 

 mate element in the ripe plant as 100, it contained at 

 the end of the several periods the following amounts 

 {per cent) : 



Taking the total gain as 100, the gain during each 

 period was accordingly as follows {per cent) : 



Fiber. Fat. Carbhpdratea.* Albuminoids. Ash, 



100 100 100 100 100 



6. — As regards the individual ingredients of the ash, 

 the plant contained at the end of each period the follow- 

 ing amounts, — ^the total quantity in the ripe plant being 

 taken at 100. Corresponding results from Bretschneider 

 enclosed in ( ) are given for comparison: 



/Sulphuric Phosphoric 



Silica. Oxide, Oxide Lime. Magnesia. Potash, 



Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. 



I. Period, 18 (22) 20 ( 42) 23 ( 33) 30 ( 31) 24 ( 31) 39 ( 42) 



II. " «|(57)52)(4^ ^{(63) 68}(83) 42|( 70 1 



III. " 70 1 52 1 73) 79) 68) 91 ) ^ ' 



IV. " 93 ( 72) 90 ( 39) 91 ( 74) 99 (74) 84 ( 77) 100 (100) 

 V. " 100 (100) 100 (100) 100 (100) 100 (100) 100 (100) 100 (95») 



The gain (or loss, indicated by the minus sign — ) in 

 these ash-ingredients during each period is given below: 



» Exclusive of riber. 



