146 
Analyses of the Ashes of Plants. 
The total suljihur in the hops was, in 1000 grains, — 
No. I. No. 2. No. 3. 
Hentl'jy. (iolding. Grape. 
In the i)aitiallv dried state 3'50 4' 11 4-70 
In the dry state . . . . 3-90 4-72 5-20 
But, as we have previously mentioned, the two latter specimens 
were "sulphured" in the drying, and there can be little doubt 
that, by oxidation at the time or subsequently, some of the 
sulphurous acid must have become fixed in the specimens. 
No stress is therefore laid upon the observed difference ; the 
difference in the proportion of silica in these samples is peculiar. 
This circumstance is not, so far as we can discover, in any way 
accounted for by the history of the specimen, but it tends to prove 
that the discordant results of other analysts of the hop are not 
necessarily referrible to any errors on the part of the investigator, 
but are within the limits of deviation in the constitution of the 
plant.* 
The following are analyses of peas and beans grown on dif- 
ferent soils : — 
With the view of ascertaining to what extent the mineral con- 
stitution of the crops in question would, under the ordinary system 
of culture, be affected by differences in soil, supplies of seed 
were forwarded by Messrs. Gibbs, of Half Moon-street, to several 
gentlemen who were kind enough to undertake the experiments. 
The varieties selected were, of peas — the Early White and the 
Prolific Maple; and of beans — the Heligoland, or Tick, and the 
Mazagan. 
The only specimens which we have had time to examine are 
those from clay and silicious sand — the specimens on clay 
being grown by Mr. Druce, of Ensham, near Oxford; and those 
on sand by Mr. Morton, of Whitfield. f 
The clay soil is a strong clay, imperfectly drained. The pre- 
vious crop was clover. The crops were planted on the 6tli of 
April, 1847, and harvested as follows: the early white peas on 
the 3rd, and the prolific peas on the 11th of August; the Maza- 
practice of employing sulphur is by no means universal. Those who make 
use of it consider tliat it facilitates the drying of the hops, besides render- 
ing the product of a better colour, and more acceptable to the brewers. 
To the chemist the practice offers several interesting topics of speculation, 
for which however this is no suitable place. 
* Mr. Nesbit found 20 per cent, of silica in the hop. Professor John- 
stone (.Journal of Agriculture, July 1847) in a specimen of hops analysed 
in his laboratory only obtained 11 or 12 per cent. Fi om the analyses given 
above it is plain that neither of these results is to bo regarded as neces- 
sarily incorrect. 
■I- We are indebted to Mr Pusey, Mr. Huxtable, and Mr. Arkell for 
similar specimens, which as yet we have been unable to examine. 
