304 Manufacture of Pot and Pearl Ashes. 
ointed out above; viz. by at AG treating with nitric 
os and subsequent f fusion with bora 
: _ With great respect — ieazh: 
ur ob’t serv’t, 
oS *TAMES F. DANA. 
Pror. Sinuman. 
Art. 1 —Notice of the method cB sa bbe the 
Alkaline Salts of Commerce. By Du. Gusravus A. 
Rocers.* 
Tuese salts are known in market by the names of Pot 
and Pearl Ashes. The difference between the two salts 
depends on a difference in the process of manufacturing. — 
a pearl ashes generally bear a price in New-York k of 
ve to fifteen dollars more per ton than the pot pe 
To obtain the pot ash, so called, it is necessary to put 
‘into the leeches in which the ashes are acted on by watel; 
a quantity of quick lime. This is placed atthe bottom of 
the tub. Where lime is plenty, from an half bushel to @ 
bushel is put in each tub. Without this precaution, the 
-_ 
~ 
“ black salts,” asthe boilers term them, are very ult Fe. 
to fuse. Indeed it is almost impossible to do it with an} 
common fire, except such salts as are made in the spe 
en the frost and snow are leaving the ground. The le 
O dis evaporated by a large fire, and the process is hur- 
ried as fast as possible. After two or three days, they 
cease to refill the neues and evaporate the mass to the 
consistence of West-India sugar. [fit dto make the 
pearl ashes, the mass is eared from the kettles ; butif the 
pot ashes are intended, itis not removed; but as gr reat a heat 
is raised as the mere combustion of the best wood will pro- 
rol duce, in the large arches over which the kettles are placed. 
. The p or three quar- 
ae 
% 
of a day, as the salts are for purity. Dative the fusion, 
impurities that are combustible are destroyed, exhibit- 
ks of fire, and some gaseous matter continues t0 es- 
ich agitates the more fluid part. When it is com- 
1a state of fusion, i it is perfectly at rest, and exhib 3 
¥ Purnidied by siecunst of the Editor. 
