78 
ANALYSES OF THE GRASSES, 
The following analysis of the ash of the plant in an earlier state, represents probably 
its true composition when mature. 
6. Spear grass : cut May 13 ; height 16 inches, flower spikes just appearing. 100 grains 
of ash gave 
Silicic acid - 
. 
. . 
Per centum. 
48-300 
Phosphates - 
- 
- 
- 
11-650 
Lime 
- 
. 
0-030 
Magnesia 
- 
* 
a> 
trace. 
Potash 
- 
- 
3-531 
Soda 
- 
- 
12-505 
Sodium 
- 
- 
4-180 
Chlorine 
- 
. 
6-365 
Sulphuric acid 
- 
- 
5*156 
Organic acids 
- 
- 
4*400 
Carbonic acid not determined. 
96-186 S. 
VI. ROUGHISH MEADOW-GRASS (Poa trivialis). 
Grown in the rear of the State House : cut June 21; height 40 inches, in flower. Two 
spears weighed 61-40 grs., and gave 
Per centum. 
Water ....... 61-407 
Dry matter ------- 38 "593 
Ash ....... 3-071 
.Ash calculated dry ..... 5-002 
Organic matter calculated dry - - - 94"998 S. 
Burns hard ; ash slightly alkaline. 
VII. SWEET FESCUE-GRASS (Glyceria Jluitans). 
1. First specimen. Grew three miles south of Albany, in a swamp : cut June 22; height 
40-48 inches, in flower (aquatic). One stalk weighed 123"25 grs., and gave 
Water - ... - 
_ 
. 
Per centum. 
58-369 
Dry matter .... 
. 
- 
41-631 
Ash ..... 
. 
- 
2-198 
Ash calculated dry 
. 
- 
5-279 
Organic matter calculated dry 
- 
- 
94-721 
Ash saline. 
