94 CYANAMID — MANUFACTURE^ CHEMISTRY AND USES 



phosphoric acid is neutralized by the lime of the Cyanamid, 

 and again, the free nitric acid or nitrogen peroxide is neu- 

 tralized by the Cyanamid lime immediately after its forma- 

 tion. Whatever the mechanism, it has been shown by careful 

 experiments that Cyanamid prevents this otherwise serious 

 loss of nitrate nitrogen. 



Preventing Bag-rotting. — A similar loss of hydrochloric acid 

 gas occurs when potassium chloride, or commercial muriate 

 of potash, is mixed with acid phosphate: 



2KCI + H3PO, — K,HPO, + 2HCI. 

 This loss does not decrease the commercial value of the 

 mixture, but the passage of the acid gases through the cloth 

 of which the bag is made decomposes the bag fiber and causes 

 so-called "bag-rotting." This destructive action is prevented 

 by the addition of Cyanamid to the mixture, causing the neu- 

 tralization of the hydrochloric acid gas, or the phosphoric 

 acid producing it. 



To the fertilizer manufacturer, the drying and neutralizing 

 properties of Cyanamid are decided advantages, since these 

 are not possessed by any other high-grade mineral fertilizer, 

 and no extra charge is made for them in the selling price of 

 Cyanamid. Since the cost of drying and neutralizing agents 

 and the extra mixing expense is saved if the nitrogenous 

 ingredient possesses these properties, Cyanamid has been 

 received with much favor by fertilizer manufacturers. Prac- 

 tically the entire output of the American Cyanamid Company 

 is sold in this way. 



