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The preceding analyses furnish the data from which is derived the — 
general conclusion that as a grass grows older its content of water — 
decreases, ash decreases, fat decreases, albuminoids decrease, carbo- — 
hydrates increase, crude fiber increases, non albuminoids decrease till 
bloom or slightly after, when it is at its lowest, and then increases again 
during the formation of the seed. 
There are exceptions to these rules, but for the large majority of spe- 
cies under ordinary conditions of environment they hold good. 
There are almost no exceptions to the fact that the water decreases in 
the maturer specimens; that is to say, the plant gradually dries up and 
becomes less succulent. The ash is very dependent on locality and 
surroundings, and as in the analyses which are here published it in- 
cludes whatever soi! there may be mechanically adherent to the blade 
or stalk as collected, it sometimes shows irregularities from one period 
to another. 
The albuminoids decrease in amount with great regularity, the few 
cases where an increase appears being due to the fact that the speci- 
mens were probably grown under varying conditions. : 
The fiber sometimes decreases, as in Bromus erectus, but the change 
in that direction is never large. 
The non-albuminoid constituents, however, are often quite the reverse 
of constantin their manner of appearance and disappearance, and show 
themselves to be largely or more affected by environment than any other 
constituent. In Agrostis vulgaris they continue to decrease after bloom, — 
and in Anthoxanthum odoratum and Festuca ovina they increase steadily — 
from early growth to maturity. The relative amount present in the 
Same species from different localities is extremely variabie, as may be 
seen in the analyses of Phlewm pratense, where specimens from Indiana 
contain almost no non-albuminoid nitrogen, while those from the Dis. — 
trict of Columbia and elsewhere are well supplied. Thespecimensfrom _ 
poorer soil having the smallest amount in some cases and the largest in 
others, the fact can hardly be due directly and entirely to the lack of eul- ~ 
tivation, but as the averages show that the best grasses contain the least — 
non-albuminoids it is plain that it is dependent on the sources of nitro- 
gen and the supply furnished the plant. The usual changes in the non- i 
albuminoids seem to point to the possibility that they increase at the — 
time of the formation of the seed in the act of transferring to the seed; 
as amides, the nitrogen of the plant. 
THE BEST PERIOD OF GROWTH AT WHICH TO CUT FOR HAY. 
Although largely a matter of opinion, it would seem from the forego. ~ 
ing results that the time of bloom or very-little later is the fittest for 
cutting. grasses to be cured as hay. The amount of water has dimin- — 
ished relatively, and there is a proportionately larger amount of nutri- — 
ment in the material ent, and the weight of the latter will be at its — 
highest point economically considered. Later on, the amount of fiber 
