Tobacco as a Farm Crop for England. 
247 
It will be seen from the foregoing figures that these ashes have the one great 
fault, which was also so marked in the samples of Lord Harris, viz. the high 
percentage of lime, and low percentage of potash, and the consequent heavy 
ratio of the former to the latter. One great advantage, however, which these 
samples possess over the Faversliam samples is the comparatively low per- 
centage of chlorine. This lower quantity of chlorine would act favourably in 
rendering the burnmg of the leaf more easy. The higher percentage of 
silica is also a favourable sign, although, at the same time, there is an 
imdesired increase in the suljjhuric acid. Iron is also present in these samples. 
The manuring in the case of No. 2 seems to have alfectcd the composition of 
the ash very slightly. Beyond the increase in phosjjhoric acid and magnesia, 
there is no particularlj' marked difference from the others. 
The total nitrogen was next estimated with the following results : — 
Percentage — total Nitrogen. 
No. L No. 2. No. 3. 
3-23 ?>n 5-29 
There is a marked difference in the three samples in these figm^es. They 
will be again referred to. 
The fleshy part of the leaf in each sample was tested for nitrates. No. 1 
contained no nitrates, but Nos. 2 and 3 contained a considerable qimntity. 
This latter result is very unlike what was found in connection with the 
previous samples examined. 
The soluble extractive was then ascertained by heating weighed quantities 
with water to 80° C. for 1 hour, and weighing the residue. The following 
figures were obtained : — 
No. 1. 
No. 2. 
No. 3. 
Per Cent. 
Per Cent. 
Per Cent. 
55-95 
58-70 
52 15 
Eesidne 
44-05 
41-30 
.47-83 
The soluble matter is high in each case, especially so in No. 2. The 
average of recorded samples is about 45 • 0 per cent. 
The ash in the residue was then determined and calculated into percentage 
on the original leaf, when the following figures were obtained, showing the ash 
or mineral constituents extracted by, and insoluble in water : — 
No. 1. 
No. 2. 
No. 3. 
Ash extracted . . 
„ remaining J 
in Residue J ' " 
17-26 
7-09 
14-29 
3-69 
13-04 
10-19 
24-35 
17-98 
23-23 
The figures speak very favourably for No. 3 sample, and fairly well for 
No. 1, as regards their maturity, but they condemn No. 2. The superficial 
nature of its mineral constituents, although the amount is small, is clearly 
shown by the above result. 
