REPORT OF THE CUEMIST. 105 
When the soil is well irrigated by field flooding, then almost any crops 
may be raised, but the beet appears to be that which should be first 
cultivated. Potatoes will not thrive exeept where the soil is well 
washed. 
Inasmuch, then, as from the physical and chemical examination of 
these soils it-is evident that they contain no poisonous ingrediexrt, that 
they contain all the elements of fertility, and that the only reason why 
vegetation does not readily grow on them is because they possess too 
much soluble saline matter consequent on the too dry climate and want 
of sufficient river waters, there is abundant reason to hope that, although 
the district itself may not be able to supply water of irrigation in suffi- 
cient quantity, that engineering skill may be brought into play to derive 
it from those sources where it is abundant and coustant. 
MEAT EXTRACT. 
Having received samples from the office of the Quartermaster Gen- 
eral of the United States Army, an opportunity was afforded of making 
an examination of the “ Extractum carnis Liebig,” manufactured by the 
San Antonio Meat Extract Company, Texas. 
The extract was of a flesh-brown tint, of agreeable meaty odor and 
flavor, and of that consistency to adhere to the fingers when handled, 
though showing no disposition to settle down rapidly or to flow, as 
semi-liquids do. It preserves its odor for a considerable time when ex- 
posed to an- open-air temperature, (70° F.,) while at the same time it 
undergoes an appreciable loss of weight by drying. By the exposure 
of its solution for several days it undergoes a slow fermentation without 
the evolution of sulphuretted hydrogen. <A faint odor of carbon disul- 
phide is mixed with the sweetish-sour fermenting oder. By two experi- 
ments it yielded in 100 parts— 
Tr 2. 
PEC re tees Aes eee) Oe oe ead ee OT we Roe 17. 684 17, 422 
EMM EPAMGW cc 2k roe sous eee eh ks, Gee Olt 4 WANS... 61, G16 60. 728 
aetna gta DL OO eae ee ee te ee ee ee Pe me Ve 20. 700 21. 850 
160. 009 100, 000 
. 
The extract is readily soluble in water, especially when the water is 
warm, in which case it wholly dissoives, It has a marked acid reaction 
Digested with ether, no matter soluble in that fluid was withdrawn. 
The absence of fatty matter was thus proved. Treated with alcohol, it 
partly dissolved, so that the materials soluble in the two soivents (alco- 
hol and water) may be set down as follows: 
Soluble in alcohol, creatinine in crystals, phosphates, and chlorides of potassium, 
POLO ariinal Mister’ eee... es. 5 ae eae ee ne ee 5. 60 
Soluble in water, creatine, inosate of potassium, sarcine, akyumen, gelatine, lac- 
RRS ik in «aire At ee os were «oi = «ni AI oo 48, 01 
61. 61 
_ By ultimate analysis the extract yielded cn two experimeuts the follow- 
ing percentage of nitrogen: 
SIE PORTICO ak wee Se et TL eS 9. 38 
emmrrre? Couper MONG Ie sf alg oes wok cece need os 2 BE 9, 55 
Average ..... Bema eens 5.0! <u: ohio ale ee RE Ee ro ould 0 oo cla! oe) eons 9, 47 
/ 
