POTASH SALTS. 



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No. I. is a low grade of its kind ; No. II. a medium quality ; 

 they sold in the market, respectively, at $20 and $25 per ton 

 of 2,000 pounds. 



The pound of potassium oxide costs, therefore, from eight 

 to nine cents. Some reasonable allowance for the agricultural 

 value of the remaining constituents of the kainit renders its 

 cost fair, when compared with that of the muriate of potash. 



Sulphate of Potassa. 



Both samples are evidently refuse material from another 

 branch of industry than that carried on at the Stassfurt mines. 

 No. I. was sold by a dealer in Boston, the other by a dealer 

 in New York; in case of No. I., but part of the potassium 

 oxide is present as sulphate ; in No. II. there is a small 

 excess of sulphuric acid. The saline mass, in this case, had 

 a decided acid reaction, yet not sufficient to cause any injury 

 to plants, as long as the rule, which applies to all concentrated 

 fertilizers, the salines in particular, is adhered to ; namely, to 

 mix them with at least three or four times their weight of soil 

 before sowing them broadcast. 



There is one feature, however, which deserves the serious 

 attention of farmers when using potash salts, like the above 

 ones, which contain none, or but a small percentage of either 

 chloride of sodium or sulphate of magnesia ; for it requires in 

 the latter cases a longer period of time to diffuse the potassa 

 through the entire body of the soil, which serves in the pro- 

 duction of our various crops. 



Those plants which root mainly within the surface portion 

 of the cultivated soil, will be benefited sooner than the deep- 

 rooting ones. Root crops and leguminous plants, as clover, 



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