1882.] COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 75 



on stratum, just as they crystallized out of the sea-water in their 

 order of solubility. 



To show the extent of this industry a few figures will suffice. 



In 1862 about 3,000 tons of high-grade salts were produced, in 

 1863, 9,000 tons; 1864,21,500; 1865,14,700; 1^66,26,782; 1867, 

 25,99 1 ; and from that time the production has gone on increasing. 

 In 1877, 106,809 tons were produced; and it should be borne in 

 mind that to produce one ton of high-grade salt requires the 

 manipulation of over seven tons of the raw material. 



This summary moreover does not include the production of 

 Kainit, which is an item by itself. 



The goods which come into our fertilizer market from Stassfurt 

 are chiefly of three kinds. First the high-grade sulphate of pot- 

 ash, which was formerly made from other salts by double decom- 

 2iosition, but is now I believe chiefly made from the chloride of 

 potassium by treating with oil of vitriol and subsequent calcination. 

 This is the most expensive preparation biit is preferred for use on 

 tobacco and root crops, owing to the belief thkt the chloride 

 injures the smoking quality of tobacco and lessens the percentage 

 of starch or sugar in roots. 



1 believe that when the chloride is of high grade and is applied 

 in proper quantity, not alone but mixed with phosphates and 

 nitrogenous matters, this objection is by no means as serious as 

 many suppose. 



During the last year but one sulphate has been sent to the 

 Station for analysis. It contained as guaranteed 80 per cent, of 

 potassium sulphate with a very small percentage of chlorine. Its 

 cost, $65, made the price of actual potash 7^ cts. per pound. 



The muriate of potash, which is a perfectly safe application for 

 grass and grain land, has been of good quality during the year. 

 Seven analyses have shown from 72.7 to 86 per cent, of mijriate 

 of potash — 80 per cent, is guaranteed — and prices have ranged 

 from three and one-half to four and three-fifths cents per pound 

 for actual potash — three to four cents less than for sulphate. 



The third preparation used in Connecticut is Kainit. Three 

 samples analyzed within twelve months have shown from 12.1 to 

 12.7 per cent, of potash, which is about the average, but the price 

 demanded has been so high as to make it really the most costly 

 source of potash. Actual potash cost from 7.1 to 8 cts. per pound, 

 one-half cent more than in the sulphate even. 



In New Jersey Kainit has been sold for from six to eight dol- 



