A nahjses of Ashes of Plavts. 



201 



Beans and Peas. 



The analyses of these plants, before given, are only intended 

 to point out their general characteristics. We hope, in a subse- 

 quent report, to present a very full account of both, as crops from 

 the same seed are at the present moment being raised in different 

 localities for the purposes of this research. 



With the caution that some modifications of the composition of 

 these legumes may be introduced by future analyses, we may 

 venture to place the results side by side for comparison. 



Table 25. — Comparative View of the Composition of the Ash of Beans 

 arid of Peas grown on Chalk and Clay. 





Peas. 



Beiins. 



Pea Straw. 



Bean 

 Straw. 



On Chalk. 



On Clay. 



On Clay. 



On Chalk. 



On Clay. 



On Clay. 



Per Centage of Ash . 



1-97 



2-25 



2-37 



7-52 



7-96 



4-97 



Phosphoric Acid . 

 Sulphuric Acid 

 Carbonic Acid. . . 



Magnesia .... 

 Peroxide of Iron . 



Ciiloride of Sodium . 



1-76 

 24-20 

 4-70 

 3-18 

 6 97 

 6 -66 

 0-25 

 44-02 



8-23 



0-84 

 28-85 



5- 85 

 2-12 



4- 55 



6- 96 

 trace 



41-50 



5- 02 

 4-30 



0-42 

 28 '72 



3-05 

 3-42 



5- 20 



6- SO 

 trace 



51-72 

 0-54 



2- 53 

 1-31 

 1-85 



30-33 

 46-92 

 8-36 

 1-14 



3- 87 

 1-86 

 1-76 



1-94 



1- 23 



2- 25 

 29 03 

 36-46 



5-73 

 0-73 

 12-68 

 0-24 

 9-66 



2-61 



0- 49 



1- 40 

 25-32 

 19-85 



2- 53 

 0-61 



32-^5 

 2-77 

 11-54 



Total . , 



99-97 



99-99 



99-97 



99-93 



99-96 



99-97 



In examining this table we are struck with the very great simi- 

 larity between peas and beans, more especially the specimens 

 grown on the same soil. They are indeed as nearly alike as the 

 two peas themselves. The ash of bean-straw contains more potash 

 than that of pea-straw. 



One particular feature about beans and peas is, that neither 

 the grain or straw contains a notable quantity of silica. Again, 

 their straw contains only a very small quantity of phosphoric 

 acid. 



The produce of beans and peas is excessively variable. The 

 fairest way to compare the amount of exhaustion produced by the 

 two crops will be perhaps to make a calculation on equal amounts 

 of crop. Let us suppose that the produce of an acre, in each 

 case, would be in grain I ton, which is equal to 35 bushels of 

 peas at 64 lbs., and" 34 bushels of beans at 66 lbs. to the bushel 

 (rather a high estimate). The straw in each case is taken at the 



