d02 
Coiiij)ositioii (titd Natriiivc Value of Strau\ 
Water 4(i-{;4 
Oil -67 
"■Soluble protein coiiipouiKls 1"()7 
Sugar, 2;um, mucilage ()'72 
Digestible fibre 19-17 
f Insoluble ]3rotein coniiiountls '93 
huligestible woody fibre 20'18 
Soluble mineral matter 2'30 
Insoluble mineral matter 1'72 
100-00 
*Containiug nitrogen "26 
tConlaining nitrogen '15 
Total percentage of nitrogen '41 
Total percentage of ash 4-02 
The great difference in the proportions of water in tliese two 
samples makes it difficult to com})are these analytical results 
with each other. Deferring for the present such a comparison, 
I will now give the analysis of a third specimen taken from a 
portion of the crop of the same field, which was left standing 
until the 20th of September, or just one month longer, when, 
as might have been expected, the straw Avas over-ripe. 
Oat-straio {over-ripe). 
General Cumposition. 
Water 35-20 
Soluble orcjanic matter 4-42 
Soluble mineral matter 1-75 
Insoluble organic matter 55-48 
Insoluble mineral matter 3-15 
Detailed Composition. '^^'^ ^'^ 
Water 35-20 
Oil -97 
"'Soluble protein compounds I'OO 
Sugar, gum, mucilage, &c 2*45 
Digestible fibre .. " 21-41 
flnsoluble i)rotcin compounds 1'81 
Indigestible woody fibn; o2-2G 
Soluble mineral matter 1'75 
Insoluble mineral matter 3-15 
100-00 
■''Containing nitrogen '16 
fContaining nitrogen '29 
Total percentage of nitrogen * 45 
Total percentage of ash 4-90 
When taken from the field, even in an over-ripe state, straw, it 
will be seen, contains rather more than one-third of its weight of 
water. The preceding analyses are interesting in several respects. 
Thej have a direct practical bearing, Avhich, however, will be- 
