168 On the Composition and Nutritive Properties of Swedes, 
Set 4. — Swedes thrown into a shallow trench with tops on, and 
covered with earth. ; 
One of the 3 roots sent to me on the 12th of March, weighed 
1 lb. 12^ ounces, and the tops 4| ounces. This root and the 
tops were analysed separately. 
The two other roots without tops, weighing respectively 2 lbs. 
3 ounces, and 1 lb. 15^ ounces, were analysed together. 
Composition of 3 Roots of Set 4 on the 12th of March. 
Root No. 1 . 
Average 
Sample of 
Hull), 
Nos. 2 and 3. 
Bulb. 
Tops. 
Specific gravity of juice at 02° Falir. 
92-10 
•77 
3-30 ) 
•65 } 
2-72 J 
•46 
90-55 
2-56 
5-80 
1-09 
91-70 
1-04 
3-20 
•58 
304 
•44 
100-00 
100-00 
100-00 
•124 
1-024 
•411 
•167 
1-027 
It appears from these results, that the roots, which in Novem- 
ber were thrown with the tops on in a shallow trench, had 
become deteriorated in quality by the time they were examined 
in March. They were also very watery, and poorer in sugar 
than in November. 
With regard to the other sets, those pitted in the ordinary 
way appear to have kept best in quality. 
All the roots which were kept in a growing state till the 12th 
of March had thrown out more or less tops, which appear to have 
been formed at the expense of the nutriment accumulated in 
the bulbs. The tops it will be seen contained less water than the 
bulbs, and were richer in nitrogenous or albuminous compounds. 
In consequence of the exceeding mildness of the season, the 
swede tops soon began to run ; and by the 25th of April those roots 
which were left standing in the ground had formed hard woody 
stems, 12 to 18 inches high. At this time specimens were 
again sent to me for analysis : — from the swedes which were left 
growing untouched in the field ; from those which were covered 
with earth in a shallow trench without being topped and tailed ; 
and lastly from the roots which were cleaned and clamped in 
the usual way. 
