ANALYSES OF THE OAT. 
91 
or, the number of tons of the herbage of indian corn exceeds that of wheat. From this 
circumstance, alone, it is evident that it must take a greater amount yearly from the soil. 
Wheat contains a larger amount of silica in its straw, than either of the other cereals. 
Barley is allied more intimately to lime plants, than wheat or oats. 
It will be observed that more attention has been given to the composition of the ash of 
the cereals, than to their proximate elements, as gluten, albumen, casein, etc. It is true 
that the latter are important matters to be considered and determined : they, however, 
may be placed under the head of varieties, where it becomes necessary to compare two or 
more in order to determine their relative powers to supply nutriment. The analysis of the 
ash informs us more particularly of the effects of crops on soils, and lays the foundation for 
a natural system of culture. It does more*than this ; for we also learn from analysis the 
proportions of the phosphates and alkalies, which are of themselves so essential to the con¬ 
stitution of nutritious matters. 
I. OATS. 
The oats which have been subjected to analysis, were grown in four of the agricultural 
districts : the Southern, or Fifth; the Wheat, or Fourth; the Hudson-river, or the Third, 
and the Eastern, or Second, which is based upon the taconic slates. 
From the Southern district I received specimens of oats from Mr. Randall of Cortland- 
ville, and from Mr. N. Salisbury of Scott, Cortland county. These oats grew upon the 
slates of the upper part of the Hamilton or Lower Chemung group. For an analysis of 
the soil, see p. 341, Vol. I. 
1. Mr. Randall’s oats, straw and chaff. 
PROPORTIONS. 
Grain 
Straw 
Chaff 
491-270 grs. 
438-500 
92-220 
Ash of the grain - 
Ash of the straw - 
Ash of the chaff - 
10*400 grs. 
21-120 
3-566 
Per centum. 
Water of the sun-dried grain 
Water of the husk 
Water of the straw, undetermined 
10-820 
13-280 
