Agricultural Chemistry. 423 
Iy. AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY. 
1. Atmospheric Nitrite of Ammonia and its Origin—E. Boutie de- 
scribes (Ann. der Ch. u. Ph., cxxv, 21-33) the results of long study 
of this subject, made at the same ween as, but independent of, the 
investigations of Battger and Schon 
arral found in the rain water eoliected at the Paris Observato 
during the si ending June, 1852, an average of 151°81 — of nitric 
acid and 41-82 grms. of ammonia per cubic metre. These results have 
not been th Willi confidence on account of the did daches of the 
methods at Barral’s disposal for the eae of nitric acid. Bous- 
the first of these conclusions is based are , purely qualitative in character. 
According to Bohlig the most “Se emg reagent for free am mmonia and 
carbonate - ammonia is chlori mercury—a solution containing but 
30 monia giving with this salt a perceptible white turbidity. 
lf 40 ce, of aa exempt from ammonia (such is the water of many 
Springs, but distilled water rarely,) is mixed vith 5 drops of a solution of 
corrosive sublimat te (1 of salt to 30 of water) and the same quantity of 
a solution of the purest carbonate of potash (1 of salt to 50 of water), the 
whole remains perfectly clear for days together in closed vessels, If the 
solutions are much more concentrated, oxyd of mercury will separate. 
If water containing a mmonia in combination with the stronger acids be 
with corrosive sublimate and carbonate of potash, the same reac- 
tion—turbidity from separation of amido-mercuric chlori ace 
as happens with carbonate of ammonia and sublimate gone: double de- 
composition occurring between the ammonia salt and carbonate of 
* Boblig — testing the water of each considerable rain for a year, 
was any prea produced by sublimate alone, while 
that in 
sublimate ahaa carbonate of potash together in all cases gave a tur- 
bidity or even a precipitate. Contrary to the statements of the 
books, Boblig also found that the first portions of the distillate from 
