Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-05-17

Iuc VucSllOu Is, Nu'll, u any llllu1. Is
lost in drying fruits and forage crops? 1t
is not surprising that an impression pre-
walls that valuable constituents are lost in
tho process, as there is great diminution
in bulk, n change in tho condition of the
substances. and the ollactory organs detect
odOrs in the mir during the exposure TO
heat. Water holds all the valuable Gle.
monts Of plants either in ISOLATION or SIS
pension, but not in chemical combination.
The molecules of starch and sugar freely
move about in the water, and they all u
gether constitute the sap. Now. is the
water does not hold the sugar and starch
particles in combination. but only travels
with them, floating them, as it We're,
through the oritices of vegetable tissues,
it has no strong grip UPON them, whatever.
and being more volatile, it is for ced TO
part company, and Hy away whenever
vital action ceases and heat oxerts its in
fluencc.
If Il pound OF fresh grass or corn stalks
is placed in a glass rctort and heat APP.
piled at temperature of about 100
degrees F., moisture arises from the mass,
and If it is condensed by n rcfrigeratng
apparatus it will be found to be pure
Water an6 nothing else. The grass will he
gradually dried into hay, and in the hay
will ba found HH the nutrient principles
which existed in the grass. If the water
which escapes from Il field of mown grass,
/ in drying in the sun, could be condensed,
! it would be found to be pure water and
nothing else. The carbohydrates, nitro.
genous compounds and salts existing in
the grass and held in suspension and solu-
| ton in the water, have been changed in
! physical condition-thcy have been drjed,
to use a popular term; the sugar in dilute
solution has been changed into thick
solution or the glucose has thus been
changed, and the sucrose may exist rs
! crystallized sugar; the gum has become
thickened or hard, the starch which is
insoluble remains as it was, but entanglod
in the sugar and gum. There is rich
odor to grass which is very volatile. 1t
escapes while growing, and when the
grass is cut and vitality arrested, it
escapes freely The principle is the same
| in nature as the odor Of flowers; it is
ETHEREAL, extremely minute in quantity,
and has no value whatever. 1t makes a
great manifestation of itself on every hay
! field in the season, and has led many to
think that it gave evidence of great loss.
Such is not the case. In drying fruits tho
same changes occur nothing bnt water
evaporates the pectin, gum aud sugar
romans behind. In drying slight oxyda
ton occurs, and tho juices arc thickcned
or hardened by the loss Of water.
II is impossible to bring fruits back
again into the precise condition of the
green state by the addition even of the
same water that is removed in drying, as
the solid principles become less soluble,
and oxidation modifes their condition,
: probably.
| A peck Of dried peaches or Il dozen
oranges, to answer Mr.. Ilovey's question
/ directly, are far less agreeable to tho tasto
| far less grateful TO the senses of sight and
smell, but they hold all the nutrimcn,
which is round in the green condition. !!
we could only put back the water rcmuv
ed, in the same form Of association, an(
replace natures aroma or bouquet. We
could have fresh fruit at all seasons OF tho
| year.
| IL seems to me unnecessary to further
explain or disGuSS this matter of loss il
drying forage crops, rs what have sait
| is 80 direct and plain that no one can lai
to understand. In regard to the gentle
man from New Jersey, whose wild mis-
cading statements at Grafton provoke,
his discussion, it is enough to say that hi.
farming is found to be / more orderly An,
mslI uc'rvc than his talk. Ills farm an,
stock are represented TO be 10y dc.cga
ion of visiting farmers from this stata Il
\ sad conaition of neglect and coniusri
'nd this we should expect from the natur'
Of his efforts Al institute meetings.
What is needed to promote true pruglrs,
in agriculture is higher education iu1
practical farmers; an education whc,
Will enable thcm TO contradict aud over
throw the false and vulgar statements o
| uharlctan speakers at farmers meeting,
on the spot. The sooner course Of in,
sLruclion in the elementary principles Q
science is established for practical, work
! ing farmers, after the plan presented il
my address at the fair OF the Essen sociol,
. III September, the better will it he for tic
/ interests o! progressive husbandry in thi
commonwealth DR.. NichDls