304 MISCELLANEOUS ANALYSES. 



Flax and hemp are exhausting crops : the earthy phosphates, lime and the alkalies, 

 form important elements in the plants. 



3. Analysis of hemp. 



Silica 12-00 



Earthy phosphates ------ 36*50 



Carbonate of lime - - - - - - 25-90 



Magnesia - - - - - - - 4 - 50 



Chloride of sodium - - - - - 1-00 



Potash 15-00 



Soda 3-30 



Sulphuric acid ...... 1-50 



99-70 



From the foregoing analyses, it is evident that both flax and hemp are exhausting crops. 

 They have too the disadvantage in cultivation, that usually nothing is returned to the soil. 

 The ash of the straw might, however, be scattered over the soil, though it is rarely if 

 ever done. 



ANALYSIS OF SPEARMINT. 

 Stem and leaves nearly dry. 



PROPORTIONS. 



Dry plant 100-00 



Dry 98-00 



Ash 2-72 



ANALYSIS. 



Silica 13-00 



Earthy phosphates - - - - - 24*15 



Carbonate of lime - - - - - 23-50 



Magnesia 0'62 



Potash -------- 24-20 



Soda 3-40 



Chlorine 4-20 



Sulphuric acid - - - - - - 3- 40 



Organic matter - • - - - - l - 50 



97-97 



The herbage of spearmint and peppermint, as is well known, is used for the oil they 

 contain. The latter is cultivated extensively in some parts of the country. The sponta- 

 neous growth of the former is depended upon mostly for its oil. Both are exhausting crops. 



