NOTE by Dr. J. A. VOELCKER. 



The analyses in the following pages represent the chemical composition 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 fuUy 

 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 diflferent 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 diflferent 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 

 ensilage, 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° Fahr- , 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, Ahpecuriis pratensis, Festiica omna, Poa 

 tiemoralis, Festuca heterophylla, and Pua trivialis must be named among the first, 

 and then Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, A nthoxanthum odoratum, Lolium itaUcum, 

 and Dactylis glomerata. 



In the five first named, together with Lolium perenne and Phleum pratense, the 

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

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

 in a chemical ^nse (though others nearly approach), Alopecurus pratensis, which, besides 

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

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

 Anthoxanthum odoratum, Lolium, italicum, Dactylis glomerata, and Avena flavescens 

 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 pratense and Trifolium hybridum stand out prominently. 



{Signed) J. AUGUSTUS VOELCKER. 



NOTE AS TO THE COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS. 



The coloured illustrations were drawn by Miss Butler expressly for this work, from 

 specimens grown in soils naturally adapted to their fuU development. The plants 

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

 the Timothy, represented on Plate XIV. , 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 ihe total 

 length within the limited space of one of these pages. 



MARTIN J. SUTTON. 



