NOTE by Dr. J. A. VOELOKER. 



The analyses in the following pages represent the chemical ccmposition of the 

 several grasses and clovers opposite which they appear. Each variety was grown 

 separately and was perfectly pure ; the sample being taken, in every instance, as 

 nearly as possible at the time when it would have been cut for hay. 



In these analyses for the first time the relative amounts of true albuminoids have 

 been determined directly, and not, as in previously recorded results, merely given by 

 calculation of the total nitrogen into albuminoids. It will be observed that in every 

 case a very considerable proportion of the Total Nitrogen exists in a non-albuminoid 

 form, and that these proportions vary much in the individual grasses. It is not 

 intended in these remarks to indicate more than the chemical features brought out 

 by the analyses; for it must be apparent that chemical analysis alone cannot fully 

 determine the relative values of different grasses and their suitability for permanent 

 or other pastures. The adaptability of some kinds of grasses for certain soils, the 

 amount of growth attained, the time of maturity, the length of duration, the ability 

 to resist drought, the strength to overpower weeds, and other circumstances, must 

 of necessity be taken into account. As far, however, as the chemical properties are 

 concerned, the analyses show that the several grasses, cut just as they would have 

 been for haying, have very different nutritive properties. These differences are most 

 marked in respect of the water, the total nitrogen and albuminoid nitrogen, and in a 

 somewhat lesser degree in the digestible fibre, soluble carbo-hydrates, &c. 



The varying proportion of water in different grasses constitutes a point of much 

 importance, for while the yield of two kinds may be equal in bulk, the nutritive 

 properties of one may be far superior to those of the other. Not only must this be 

 borne in mind when the grasses are used in the fresh or green state, as e.g. for ensi- 

 lage, but also in considering them in the dried state, as hay, when, practically 

 speaking, the value of the dry matter in each must be taken into account. For this 

 reason the analyses of the grasses in the dried state, viz. at 212° Falir. , have also 

 been given. If any special grasses are to be selected out of the number by reason of 

 the high nutritive properties they possess, Alopeciiriis pratensis, Festuca ovina, Poa 

 iiemorulis, Festuca hderophylla, and Poa trivialis must be named among the first, 

 and then ioKum ^eren?ie, Phleum pratense, Anthoxanthum odoraiwm, Lolium Halicmn, 

 and Vactylis glomerata. 



In the five first named, together with ioK«m perenne and PUeum pratense, the 

 amounts of total nitrogen and true albuminoids are considerably higher than ia the 

 other grasses. No one grass, taking the different nutritive properties together, excels, 

 ina chemical sense(though others nearly approach), Alopecwus pratensis, which, besides 

 being rich in flesh-forming constituents, contains also a high amount of digestible 

 matters. While not being so highly nitrogenous in character as others named, 

 Anthoxanthum odoratum, Lolium italicum, JJactylis glomerata, and Avena flaveaceiis 

 are specially rich in digestible carbo-hydrates, &c. 



The clovers are marked by the high proportions of nitrogen and true albuminoids 

 they contain, and by their small amounts of indigestible woody fibre as compared 

 with the grasses. This may be best seen by a comparison of the analyses in the 

 dried state, bearing out, as they do, the practical value of clover hay. Among the 

 Clovers Trifolium prateiise and Trifolium hybridum stand out prominently. 



{Signed) .7. AUGUSTUS VOELCKER. 



NOTE AS TO THE ILLUSTRATIONS. 



The following have been drawn by Miss Butler expressly for this work, from specimens 

 grown in soils naturally adapted to their full development. The plants were fine 

 but not extravagant examples. As an instance, I may mention that near the 

 Timothy, represented on page 167, there was growing a very much larger head, 

 which measured rather more than nine inches. 



Each flower or portion of a plant is drawn to the exact natural size, but it has 

 required care in some cases to bend the plant in such a manner as to bring the total 

 length within the limited space of one of these pages. 



MARTIN J. SUTTON. 



