236 HOW CEOPS GROW. 



1 : 12J, 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. 



Recapitulation. — 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. Carlhydrates.* Albuminoids. Ash. 



100 100 100 100 lOO 



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 resulbs 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 ( 23) 30 ( 31) 24 ( 31) 39 ( 42) 



- :: «i(-)S}<«> ?^}<-> ^}<-)Sl<-> !?}<-> 



rv. " 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 Fiber. 



