166 On the Composition and Nutritive Properties of Sivedcs, 
On comparing the composition of the swedes drawn on the 
30th of November, with that of the bulbs left standing untouched 
in the field until the 22nd of February, it will be seen that 
although the latter contained 1*3 per cent, more water than the 
November roots, the proportions of sugar and of albuminous 
matter were the same in both sets. 
The roots left growing in the field, when they were pulled up 
on the 22nd of February, were perfectly sound. 
The weather continued warm for the season, and on March 
12th, one of the heaps of 6 cwts. of roots, put up on the 30th 
of November, was examined and weighed with the following 
results : — 
cwts. lbs. 
March 12. — Sound swedes 5 84 
„ Kotten and useless swedes .. 0 17 
„ Sprouts .. .: 0 7 
5 108 
"Weight of roots on November 30 6 0 
Loss 0 4 
The sound roots were repitted. At the same time Mr. 
Kimber sent me for examination specimens from all the four 
experimental sets. 
Set 1. — Roots pitted in the usual way on the oOth of November, 
and analysed March 12th. 
An average analysis was made of 3 roots, weighing re- 
spectively 2 lbs. 15| ounces ; 2 lbs. 5 ounces ; 1 lb. 6| ounces. 
The following was the composition of these roots on the 
12th March. 
Water 90 '84 
*Albuminous compounds "99 
Sugar .. .. 4 - 04. 
Pectinous compounds *67 
Crude fibre 2-01 
Mineral matter (ash) "45 
100-00 
* Containing nitrogen • 159 
Specific gravity of juice at 64° Fahr. 1 • 029 
Set 2. — Boots left growing in the field untouched until the 
12th of March. 
For analysis an average sample was made of 3 roots, which 
with their tops weighed :— 
