GERMAN POTASH SALTS. 



353 



tion, whether there really existed such an unusual difference 

 in the composition of the contents of different bags, belong- 

 ing, as stated, to one cargo, and imported as one quality, 

 two years previous, by a predecessor in the business. I 

 selected samples from two different bags, and subjected each 

 one to a separate examination, which gave the following 

 results : — 



In comparing these figures with those of Nos. L, II. and 

 III., we notice a close resemblance regarding the general 

 character of the various samples tested. They contained 

 from 32 per cent, to 38 per cent, of chloride of sodium (com- 

 mon salt), and from 7.4 to 10.3 per cent, of chloride of mag- 

 nesium. The larger portion of their potassa proved to be 

 present in form of chloride of potassium ; and they belong, 

 consequently, without exception, to those low grades of 

 German potash salts which are commonly called "Dungsalts." 

 To test the value of the standard analyses usually furnished 

 at the German ports for every lot of potash salts shipped, I 

 made subsequently also an analysis of a sample of muriate of 

 potash, which had been sold with a guaranty of 80 per cent, 

 of potassium chloride. The following results were obtained : 



•15 



