408 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



quantities corresponding to 10 gm. of the commercial salts of average composition. 

 The total contents of each vial was boiled by each analyst with water made up to a 

 definite volume and filtered. By mixing, in the proper proportions, aliquots of this 

 solution with weighed portions of pure potash salts, solutions for analysis were 

 obtained which represented definite quantities of the commercial salts." 



The Stassfurt method gave good results in almost every case, and is 

 considered thoroughly reliable by the reporter; but it does not appear 

 to possess any advantage over the Lindo-Gladdiug method in accu- 

 racy, and is believed to be more time-consuming, although there was 

 difference of opinion on this point. 



No advantage was gained by acidulating with hydrochloric acid 

 before precipitation of sulphuric acid, in the optional method. 



The Lindo-Gladding method without removal of lime gave fully as 

 accurate results as the present official method. It was shown that 

 even when lime was present to the extent of 25 per cent it did not inter- 

 fere with the determination of potash. The Association therefore 

 adopted this modification of the method for the determination of potash 

 in kainit as in pure salts. 



The optional method is retained with the caution that it is not recom- 

 mended for use when soluble sulphates are present. 



The consensus of opinion seemed to be that less than 10 cc. of plati- 

 num chloric! may be safely used in the large majority of analyses, but 

 no action was taken on this point. 



The reporter for the ensuing year was instructed to study methods 

 for determining potash in ashes and chlorin in fertilizers. 



In accordance with the instructions of the previous convention, A. L. 

 Winton submitted a reply to the criticisms by German chemists of the 

 Lindo-Gladding method. This was ordered to be printed in the pro- 

 ceedings, and also published in some prominent scientific journal. 



A committee of 5, consisting of H. W. Wiley, B. W. Kilgore, H. A. 

 Huston, H. B. McDonnell, and B. B. Boss, was appointed to cooperate 

 with a similar committee of the Association of American Agricultural 

 Colleges and Experiment Stations in securing uniform legislation 

 and methods relating to the inspection of fertilizers. 



SOILS AND ASH. 



The report on methods of analysis of soils and ash prepared by 

 A. Goss was read by H. W. Wiley. Ten chemists participated in the 

 work, which included determinations (1) of total phosphoric acid by 

 Goss's method 1 and by digestion for 5 hours in strong nitric acid; (2) 

 of phosphoric acid soluble in i normal hydrochloric 2 and nitric acids; 

 (3) total potash by Smith's 3 method, and by the hydrofluoric acid 

 method; (4) potash soluble in -i normal hydrochloric and nitric acids 



1 U. S. Dept. Agr., Division of Chemistry Circ. 2. 



2 U. S. Dept. Agr., Division of Chemistry Bui. 49, p. 88. 



3 Crooke's Select Methods, 2 ed., p. 28; 3 ed., p 26. 



