REPORT OP THE CHEMIST. 



83 



The averages show that the crop, notwithstanding unfavorable con- 

 ditions, has improved in ash and albuminoids and size of the grain, and 

 that the conclusions of previous analyses are verified. The last variety, 

 No. 2187-8, was the only one to lose in percentage of albuminoids, and 

 this was plainly because it contained in the seed a higher amount than 

 could be supported by Colorado conditions in the crop. This same 

 wheat, the Geiger, a spring variety from Asia, it will be noticed con- 

 tains a large amount of ash in connection with its high percentage of 

 albuminoids, and loses the one with the decrease of the other. Atten- 

 tion has already been drawn to the intimate relation between ash and 

 albuminoids in the whole grain in the previous report, and the reason 

 of this will appear in later analyses, where it is shown that the bran 

 and germ, both storehouses of nitrogen, contain large amounts of ash. 



That Colorado is a place where a rich and fine wheat can be raised is 

 evident from the work of the past three years ; but it is also plain that 

 all the aid which human agency can control must be given to this end. 

 Two samples of wheat grown in another part of the State, Fremont 

 County, which have been in the Department museum for some time, are 

 not rich in albuminoids, containing each only 9.80 per cent. This 

 variation shows that great care is always necessary to keep the grain 

 at a high standard and that in the case of the wheats from Fremont 

 County something was lacking. 



THE PACIFIC COAST. 



The conclusion was drawn last year that Oregon produced a wheat 

 extremely poor in albuminoids, although the appearance of the grain 

 was fair and large. 



Surprise having been expressed at this statement, it was suggested 

 that an analysis should be made of a selected sample of Oregon wheat 

 of the crop of 1883. For this pursose a specimen was chosen which the 

 Northern Pacific Kailroad presented to its guests at a dinner in Walla 

 Walla, during the excursion given by the road in the autumn of 1883. 

 The result (serial No. 1854) was a complete confirmation of previous 

 analyses. The percentage of albuminoids found was 7.70, and this de- 

 termination having been confirmed by duplication, the wheat was proved 

 to be the lowest in albuminoids of any that have been examined in this, 

 country. Its appearance was fine, but the size of the grain smaller 

 than one usually expects in Oregon wheats. 



Attempts to obtain samples, typical of the production of the remain- 

 der of the coast, have failed, but a consideration of the great range of 

 climate found there, together with a few analyses of samples found in 

 the museum of the Department, lead us to the conclusion that the 

 wheats of California, at any rate as a whole, would not be found to be 

 as starchy as those from Oregon, except where the climate corresponds. 



MAIZE. 



Before considering the investigations of wheat products, a synopsis 

 of our work upon maize (corn) may well follow. 



The average composition of corn from the various States, derived 

 from the analyses published in a previous bulletin, differed very slightly 

 in their percentages of albuminoids. The observations upon this cereal 

 during the past year have been confined, therefore, to determinations of 

 nitrogen and ash in a number of samples from localities from which none 

 had been previously received, and to taking the weights of one hundred 

 kernels of specimens from all parts of the country. 



