54 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



one estimation was made by treating an aqueous extract of the plant 

 witli calcic acetate, in presence of free acetic acid, dissolving the pre- 

 cipitate thus obtained by means of hydrochloric acid, filtering the sepa- 

 rated insoluble organic matter, reprecipitating the calcium oxalate in 

 the filtrate by means of ammouic hydrate, and calculation of the per- 

 centage of oxalic acid by the usual methods. 



In another estimation this method was preceded by the following : 

 The air-dried plant was ground in a drug-mill, macerated for some time 

 in water, the whole placed upon a dialyzer, and submitted to dialysis 

 for tbree days. To the diffusate thus obtained calcic acetate was added, 

 in presence of free acetic acid as before, and the further estimation 

 made in the usual way. In the first case 13.05 per cent, oxalic acid 

 (C2H204, 2H2O) was found, and in the second case 13.13 per cent. 



The estimation of potash and soda to determine the value of the plant 

 as a source of potash gave the results embodied in the following table, 

 which shows also the percentages of crude ash, oxalic acid, and phos- 

 phoric acid estimated : 



F«r (fvJk 

 In total plant : 



Crude ash 36.73 



Potash 5.54 



Soda 10.1 



Crystallized oxalic acid, (CiHjO^, 2H.3O) 13.05 



In seed-cafiea : 



Crude ash 39.62 



Potash 7.48 



Soda 16.50 



Pho8i)horic acid 0.88 



The plant contains a very small amount of sulphuric acid and lime, 

 but a large proportion of chlorine. The alkalies are therefore probably 

 combined with oxalic and phosphoric acids and chlorine. Both the 

 stems and the seeds have a strong saline taste and a peculiar odor, duo 

 to an oil soluble in ether. 



su-s:da califoenica. 



Specimens of this plant also have been submitted for analysis with a 

 view to the determination of its value as a source of potash. It grows 

 extensively in tlic salt marshes of California, and belongs to the natural 

 order Chenipodiaccce. Like many other plants of this order, it contains 

 oxalic acid combined with potash and soda, and in the sample analyzed 

 we have found 2.54 per cent, of this acid corresponding to the formula 

 CHM, 2HoO. 



Tbat the plant has no superior value as a source of potash over that of 



many other plants will appear from the following results of our analysis 



of the ash : 



, , Per cent 



In total pl.iut: 



Crude .aah 14. 43 



Sulpliuric acid 0,20 



Oxide of iron, &c 0. 13 



Lime 0.28 



Magnesia o! 34 



luKolublo silica 0. 10 



Soluble silica .: 0.04 



Phosplioric acid 0. 38 



Potash 2! Co 



Soda ....".!!"".! 5! 58 



CLiorine 4, 3G 



