142 
Anali/scs of the Ashes of Plants. 
sulphur than clover ; and although we have no intention of deny- 
ing the use of gypsum in the cultivation of clover (a point upon 
which we do not feel qualified to form an opinion), we would 
suggest that it must act in some other way than as a simple supply 
of sulphur or sulphuric acid to the crop. 
Sainfoin. — Analyses have been made of the ashes of sainfoin. 
It was thought advisable to examine this plant in the state in 
which it is usually cut for hay and at a later period of its growth. 
The specimens described were furnished by Mr. Robert Rayn- 
bird, of Hengrave, Bury St. Edmunds: they were grown on a light 
gravelly loam, with a subsoil of gravel above chalky clay. The 
two previous crops were swedes (fed off) and barley. The sain- 
foin followed the barley, being grown for one year in lieu of 
clover. The seed was drilled and harrowed in on the 22nd of 
April, 1846, after the barley had vegetated. 
Specimen No. 1 was taken when in flower, June 5th, 1847. 
Specimen No. 2, a portion of the same crop, taken when the seed 
was ripe, July 12th, 1847. Care was taken to preserve the seed, 
which was subsequently burnt with the rest of the plant. The 
specimens were allowed to dry naturally in the air, but, like all 
other vegetable substances, they still retained a certain proportion 
of water, as the following table shows: — 
Water and Ash of Sainfoin in Flower and in Seed. 
In flower. In seed. 
Water 11-24 ., 12-34 
Ash 5-65 .. 5-70 
Asli calculated on the dry substance G-37 . . 6*50 
The analysis of the ash gives the following results: — 
Composition of the Ash of Sainfoin in Flower and in Seed; with the 
Mineral Matters in a ton of each Specimen. 
Silica . . . . 
Phosi)horic Acid . 
Siilplmiic Acid 
Carbonic Acid 
Lime ... 
Magnesia 
Peroxide of Iron . 
Potasii . . . . 
Soda . . . . 
Chloride of Sodium . 
Chloride of Potassium 
Total . . 
In 100 parts. 
No. I. 
Specimen 
in flower. 
No. 2. 
Specimen 
in seed. 
3-23 
9-35 
3-28 
15- 'JO 
24-3U 
5-03 
0-61 
31-90 
0-78 
6-21 
99 • 96 
3- 49 
7-97 
2- 33 
17-36 
29-67 
4- 59 
0- 58 
29-61 
1- 25 
3- 12 
99-97 
Removed by a ton of 
each crop. 
No. 1. 
Specimen 
in flower. 
U)s. 
4-5 
13-2 
4-6 
34-3 
7- 1 
0'9 
45-1 
i-1 
8- 8 
119-G 
No. 2. 
Specimen 
in seed. 
lbs. 
5( 
11-^ 
3- -; 
42-*{ 
6-< 
0- J 
42 -J 
1- ! 
4- ; 
119-1 
