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Researches on the Commercial Potash 



I subsequently analyzed two specimens made with great care, ex- 

 pressly for the purpose of testing the relative merits of the common 

 and patent processes. Depositions of these facts were presented to 

 the committee of the Legislature, and the boxes, containing the par- 

 cels were transmitted to me unopened. Portions of them were care- 

 fully analyzed, in most cases repeating the processes and deducing 

 the mean. The general formula which I adopted, was that already 

 given, with the addition that during the operation C, I ascertained 

 the amount of carbonic acid, which had been expelled by the action 

 of the acetic acid. 



Table of the proportion of hydrate of potash, carbonic acid, &fc. 

 contained in two specimens of commercial potash. 



No. 11. Was manufactured according to the common method. 



No. 12. Manufactured according to the patent already described. 

 Both were prepared expressly for trial as above stated. 



In reviewing these analyses it will be found, that there is almost 

 every variety in the parcels of potash brought to market. In those 

 kinds which pass inspection, the proportion of what is called carbon- 

 ated potash, varies from about sixty to eighty per cent. It is prop- 

 er to remark, however, that I use the term " carbonated" in an indefi- 

 nite sense, for the carbonic acid is seldom in the proportion necessa- 

 ry to constitute the true carbonates. In some instances, as in the 

 two last, the amount of carbonic acid was exceedingly small, which 

 is perhaps to be ascribed to the free use of lime, and to the cau- 

 tious exclusion of the atmosphere, and also to the fact that I always 

 selected fragments from the interior of a large mass. 



Improvements of the manufacture. — From the facts which have 

 now been presented, some opinion may be formed of the nature and 

 extent of the adulterations of the potash, manufactured in the State 

 of New York. It is a question not easily settled, whether any fur-, 

 ther legislative provisions are necessary to ensure the purity of this 

 article. Taking it for granted that inspection laws are right and 

 proper, in cases like the present, it seems to me that they should 

 be rendered more efficient in their operation. I know it is urged, 

 with some plausibility, that the reputation of our potash is now higher 



