| Water | 88·400 |
| Flesh-forming substances | 2·712 |
| Heat and fat-producing matters | 6·898 |
| Ash | 1·990 |
| ——— | |
| 100·000 |
Chicory is used as a forage crop on the Continent, and Professor John Wilson surmises that it may yet be generally cultivated for this purpose in Great Britain. At present it is rarely grown except for the sake of its roots, which are used as partial substitutes for, or adulterants of, coffee.
| COMPOSITION OF CHICORY, ACCORDING TO ANDERSON. | ||
| Fresh roots. | Fresh leaves. | |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 80·58 | 90·94 |
| Nitrogenous matters | 1·72 | 1·01 |
| Non-nitrogenous substances | 16·39 | 6·63 |
| Ash | 1·31 | 1·42 |
| ——— | ——— | |
| 100·00 | 100·00 | |
Yarrow (Achillæa millefolium) is usually regarded as a weed, but sheep are very fond of it, and when they can get it, never fail to eat it greedily. It possesses astringent properties. Some writers have recommended it as a good crop for warrens and sands. Its composition, according to Way, is as follows:—
| DRIED YARROW. | |
| Albuminous matter | 10·34 |
| Fatty matters | 2·51 |
| Starch, gum, &c. | 45·46 |
| Woody fibre | 32·69 |
| Mineral matter | 9·00 |
| ——— | |
| 100·00 | |
Melons and Marrows have been used, but to a very limited extent, as food for stock. Mr. Blundell advocates their use in seasons of drought. He states that he has obtained more than forty tons per acre of both melons and marrows. They are relished by horses, oxen, sheep, and pigs. Mr. Blundell's advocacy has not been attended with much success, but it would be desirable to give these vegetables a further trial.
Dr. Voelcker's analysis of the cattle melon shows that it contains:—
| Water | 92·98 |
| Albuminous matters | 1·53 |
| Oil | ·73 |
| Sugar, gum, &c. | 2·51 |
| Fibre | 1·65 |
| Ash | ·60 |
| ——— | |
| 100·00 |
The Cabbage.—The composition of the Drumhead Cabbage has been studied by Dr. Anderson. He found a larger proportion of nutriment in the outer leaves than in the "heart," and ascertained that the young plants were richer in nutriment than those more advanced in age. His results show the desirability of cultivating the open-leaved, rather than the compact varieties of this plant.