of the State of New YorJc, 271 



in foreign markets^ than that of any other countiy, and that it is not 

 for our interest to improve the manufacture. In answer to this how- 

 ever, one or two facts deserve to be mentioned. The first is that 

 although when potash can be largely adulterated and still, by the 

 ordinary inspection, pass as first or second sort, there is a premium 

 placed on the most successful adulteration, the fraud cannot long es- 

 cape detection. The large manufacturing establishments, both in 

 England and the continent, are generally conducted by practical 

 chemists, who are familiar with the modes of testing the purity of the 

 substances which they employ. Such tests, if I do not mistake, 

 they constantly apply in the case of commercial potash, and by them 

 Its true value is determined. American potash cannot surely retain 

 Its high character, if the consumer finds it to contain one third or one 

 fourth its weight of soda salts. 



Another consideration worthy of notice is, that the carbonate of 

 soda, the barilla of commerce, is now extensively manufactured in 

 England and France, and its abundant supply appears destined to 

 €xert an important influence, upon the manufacture of potash in this 

 country. The soda-ash, as it is commonly called, is much cheaper 

 and answers equally well for most of the uses to which alkaline sub- 

 stances are applied. Potash, however, will still continue to be pre- 

 ferred in many of the arts and in some indeed it is indispensable. 

 But to retain its value in this respect, it Is necessary that it should 

 be of tolerable purity. When it contains a large admixture of salt, 

 Jt can be of little more value in foreign markets than the soda-ash, 

 and such will soon be its level, if these adulterations become, as all 

 past experience leads us to fear they will, increased in their propor- 

 tions and extended in their employment. 



It is therefore plainly our Interest by all means, to prevent the 

 adulteration of our potash and to encourage the adoption of those 

 chemical principles, which should regulate the manufacture. But 

 this desirable result can scarcely be expected, without some improve- 

 nient in the mode of inspection. I am aware of the tact which the 

 inspectors acquire, by the constant examination of samples of pot- 

 ash and of the accuracy with which they ordinarily judge of their 

 relative purity. But there are cases in which they are liable to be 

 deceived and against which, it Is important to guard. Being sensible 

 of the extreme difficulty of introducing new regulations into such 

 an every day business, it is not without some hesitation, that I am 

 induced to offer the following suojgrestions. 



