600 
Analyses of Ashes of Plants. 
The general methods employed in the estimation of the quan- 
tity of ash and in its analysis have been submitted to the scrutiny 
of the Chemical Committee appointed by the Society^ and, having 
been sanctioned by its members, need not be here detailed. 
Before commencing the account of different samples of wheat, 
we desire to express our deep obligations to those gentlemen 
who have supplied us with specimens. 
An extended inquiry of this nature could only be successfully 
carried forward with the co-operation of those engaged in 
agricultural pursuits, and we have much pleasure in acknowledg- 
ing that the assistance we have received has been most ample. 
Our thanks are due to Sir John Johnstone, Rev. Mr. Huxtable, 
]\Ir. Pusey, Dr. Daubeny,* Mr. David Bowly, and Mr. Zachery, 
of Cii-encester, Mr. Farmer, of Enfield, Mr. Arkell, of this 
College, and Mr. J. C. Morton, of Whitfield. From the two 
latter gentlemen we have received unremitting attention and 
assistance. 
We are also deeply indebted to Mr. Henry Tanner, of Exeter, 
to whose labours we owe all the estimations of straw, grain, and 
chaff, together with the determinations of specific gravity, and 
other valuable and important results contained in this report. f 
llie opinion of each crop given with its history is that of Mr. 
Arkell, who joins to the knowledge of a practical farmer that 
familiarity with the value of different specimens of wheat which 
is pre-eminently possessed by the miller, with whose occupations 
and calling Mr. Arkell is practically and perfectly acquainted. 
Specimen No. 1. — Hopeton Wheat. 
Field 30. College Farm. 
\_Soil, stone-brash and clay ; subsoil, rock and clay; geological forma- 
tion, forest marble and Bradford clay ; undrained. After rye-grass 
and clover mown for hay, 2 tons per acre. Drilled at 9 inches in 
November, 1845; appearance of the crop not very good; reaped; 
carried August I5th. Estimated yield per acre, 24 bushels ; straw 
mildewed, pretty strong ; grain good quality, (30 lbs. to the bushel.] 
* Want of time has prevented us from analyzing many samples which 
have come into our hands; the examination of a most interesting series of 
specimens of barley received iVom Dr. Daubeny is unavoidably deferred 
to a future time on this account. 
Mr. Tanner has been lor more than a twelvemonth an industrious 
student in my laboratory; his careful and methodical habits are an abun- 
dant guarantee for the accuracy of the results above alluded to. They 
were, however, all obtained under the superintendence of my colleague, 
Mr. Ogston, or myself. — J. 1. Way. 
