354 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



As 50.3 per cent, of potassium oxide are equal to 79.6 

 per cent, of potassium chloride, it seems that some reli- 

 ance can be placed in the analytical statements which form 

 the usual basis in all sales of German (or Stassfurt) potash 

 salts. 



A few more of my examinations may convey some idea 

 regarding the quality which has been largely sold in New 

 York and Baltimore. 



These samples contained from 5.2 to 6.7 per cent. 'of mag- 

 nesium chloride, and from 44.5 to 49.5 per cent, of sodium 

 chloride (common salt). Sample No. VIII. fell 2.8 per 

 cent, of potassium oxide below the represented compo- 

 sition. 



To supply our markets, year after year, mainly with the 

 inferior grades of these saline fertilizers is a great mistake on 

 the part of our importers, and cannot do otherwise than injure 

 our agricultural interests ; particularly as long as we are still 

 engaged in studying, by experiments, their special value, as 

 well as their best mode of application upon our lands. First 

 cost alone ought not to decide regarding the kind of article 

 we should import. To buy the low grades of potash salts is, 

 even in Germany, not considered economical on the part of 

 farmers, for they have learned that whenever the cost of 

 transportation of one hundred pounds of potassium oxide 

 exceeds about sixty cents, the higher grades become the 

 cheaper article. To pay an additional freight across the 

 Atlantic on eighteen hundred pounds of material, which we 

 have in abundance and cheaper at home, for the purpose of 



