116 



THIRTY-FOURTH FRUIT-GROWERS ' CONVENTION. 



extending along the line of finding out how rapidly, with the ordinary 

 tents we use — usually from six to ten-ounce goods — how rapidly does 

 it evaporate or leave the tent? 



MR. MASKEW. We are not prepared at this time to answer that 

 question. We wish to be definite and positive in these statements we 

 make ; and as to the time which must elapse for a portion or the entire 

 amount of gas to escape from a tent of any material, we are not pre- 

 pared to say at this time. Your chairman informs me that we have 

 almost consumed our time limit. Is there any other question? 



MR. S. T. MASON. How are the equivalents determined, that is, 

 b}^ the ordinary operator in making out his dose? 



MR. jMASKEW. It is one part of cyanide of potassium by weight, 

 and one part of sulphuric acid by measure. 



MR. BREiMXER. I think that when chemicals are used and a 

 chemical action occurs, there is an important point which should be 

 explained. I would like to have some explanation as to the action of 

 Avater. If they can put the water and the acid together, is there not a 

 chemical action, and what effect does it have upon the introduction of 

 the cyanide? What will be the effect if the water was lacking, and 

 what would be the effect if there was no w^ater at all, and what gas 

 would be made, supposing water was added ? 



MR. MASKEW. When the acid is introduced into the water, it 

 increases the temperature. I will say from memory, for the sake of 

 illustration, take water at the temperature of 70. using our formula, 

 three parts to one. and introduce this one part of acid and you will 

 promptly raise the temperature 100 degrees, that is. to 170. This is 

 in round numbers, because I am stating this to you from memory. We 

 have a whole lot of data on this from which we hope to be able to 

 derive some conclusions. The chemical action of the acid, in that case, 

 is to raise the temperature. The temperature is raised a great deal 

 higher — the highest temperature is brought about by the admission of 

 equal parts of acid and water. . It is a little lower with two parts of 

 water to one, still a little lower if three to one. still lower again four 

 to one ; but it is less marked from four, five, and six than from one, two, 

 and three. I don't care to be positive in this case. We need a great 

 deal more data before we are sure where we are. 



MR. BREMNER. Would gas be generated if we use no water, what- 

 ever? 



MR. MASKEW. You can take 96 per cent pure acid with a base of 

 cyanide, and you can generate hydrocyanic gas without the presence 

 of water at all. 



