APPENDIX E CXV 
12. Potash. Owing to the cutting off of German supplies of 
potash for fertilizer and industrial purposes, attention has been 
turned to the old process of recovering potash from wood ashes. 
Information has been obtained and a number of analyses have been 
made. The total amount of potash is not very great, but several 
firms are taking the opportunity for recovery during the present 
period of high prices. 
13. Acetone. Several of the chemists of our staff have devoted 
considerable time during the past months to the study of acetone 
which is required in such large amounts for war purposes. We have 
co-operated with the hardwood distillation companies and the cordite 
manufacturers in producing and testing new solvents. Most encour- 
aging progress has been made and the results have been submitted 
regularly to representatives of the British war office. 
14. Oils for ore flotation. The mining interests recently 
requested the co-operation of these laboratories in the production of 
Canadian wood oils which may be suitable in the new and important 
flotation process for treating low grade ores. The Mines Branch has 
arranged to make flotation tests on oils submitted. Plans are being 
made for the study of resinous wood distillation and other processes 
which may yield oils on a commercial basis for flotation purposes. 
