ELISIIA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 



59 



uionia, and testing with red and blue litmus papers till the neutral 

 point was reached, finally diluting till the specific gravity was 1.09. 

 After allowing to stand several days, and again testing, it was found 

 that the solutions invariably were more or less acid and required va- 

 rying amounts of concentrated Ammonium Hydrate (26'^B) to again 

 become neutral. 



The following results were obtained : 



Solutions. 



2276 c. c. I 

 1.0938 S. G. \ 

 2515 c. c. ) 

 1. 09152 S.G. ) 

 2162 c. c. ) 

 1. 0918 S. G. ) 

 2512 c. c. 1 

 1.0920 S. G. \ 

 2442 c. c. } 

 1. 0916 S. 'G. j 

 2440 c. c. I 

 1,0916 S. G. ) 



Required in c. c's. of Conc. Am. Hydrate to Neu- 

 tralize AFTER. 



3 days 



9.00 



7 days 



10.50 



8 days 



14.50 



19.50 



II d'ys 



17 d'ys '20 d'ys|26 d'ys 



19.00 

 o 



11.50 



18.50 

 o 



30 d'ys 



The amounts of ammonia added cannot be expected to be en- 

 tirely accurate on account of the difficulties met with in neutral- 

 izing such large amounts of solution. It will be seen that about 8 

 days after preparation the amount of ammonia required is the 

 greatest, nor does this appear to be increased after standing a longer 

 time. 



The results reached, while not strictly accurate, show conclusively 

 (1), that the citrate solution should not be used after standing ex- 

 cept after it has been again neutralized, and, (2), when this re neu- 

 tralization has been done 10 days after preparation the solution can 

 be used with impunity thereafter. 



Considering these facts would it not be advisable to follow the 

 plan of preparing a slightly alkaline solution instead of a neutral 

 one ? 



H. B. BATTJ;E. 

 Laboratory of the JY. C. Ag. Exp. Station, 

 Raleigh, March 20th, 1886. 



