Analyses of the Ashes of Plants. 139 
Composition in 100 parts of the Ash of Red and White Clover Hay. 
Silica .... 
Phosphoric Acid . 
Sulphuric Acid . 
Carbonic Acid 
Lime .... 
Magnesia 
Peroxide of Iron . 
Potash .... 
Chloride of Sodium . 
Chloride of Potassium 
Total . 
Uf.d Clover. 
White Ci.oveu. 
Mean ok the 
Anai.vses. 
Silicious 
Sand. 
Clay. 
Silicious 
Sand. 
Clay. 
Red 
Clover. 
White 
Clover. 
4- 03 
5- 8-2 
3 '91 
12-92 
3.5 • 02 
11-91 
0-98 
18-44 
2-79 
4-13 
2-(iC 
C'S8 
4 ■ 46 
20-94 
35-70 
10- 53 
0-9rj 
11- 30 
0-58 
5 - 92 
4- 63 
10-93 
/ - OJ 
18-64 
2;i-32 
7-45 
1-17 
15-17 
3-03 
5- 56 
2-74 
12- 12 
7 • 38 
17-41 
26-51 
8-83 
2-76 
13- 50 
4-41 
4-32 
3-34 
6-35 
.1 1 Q 
4 1 0 
16-93 
35-39 
11-22 
0- 97 
14-85 
1- 40 
2- 36 
2-96 
3-68 
11-53 
/ - 
18-U3 
26-41 
8-15 
1-96 
14-33 
3- 73 
4- 94 
99-95 
99'98 
99-96 
99-98 
99-95 
99-96 
It is impossible, in carefully examining this table, not to observe 
how very little difference really exists between the specimens of 
the same variety grown upon different soils : the numbers given 
for red clover on sand and clay are, in most respects, singularly 
alike ; and the same of the two columns for the white clover. 
In the red clover it will be seen that some difference occurs in 
the proportion of carbonic acid and in that of potash. The first of 
these discrepancies is of little importance; for (as we have pointed 
out in an appendix to this paper) it is impossible to ensure coin- 
cident results, in respect to carbonic acid, in the burning of plants 
for analysis. The relation between the two numbers given for 
potash would be much nearer if the proportion considered as 
chloride of potassium were taken into account. 
The two specimens of white clover give results still more 
resembling each other, although differing considerably from those 
of red clover. 
It would not be by any means safe to draw very decided con- 
clusions from one or two analyses of this kind, but, so far as an 
opinion may be formed, the evidence would tend to prove that the 
mineral constitution of clover is but little affected by the character 
of the soil on which it grows — whilst, on the other hand, the 
difl'erent varieties of the plant are found to possess a mineral 
constitution in some respects essentially distinct. 
The proportion of sulphuric acid given in the ash does not, as 
we have already mentioned, truly represent the total sulphur of 
the plant. When estimated by the method mentioned in the 
appendix, the sulphur in these specimens was found to be as 
follows : — 
