1906.] The Potash Deposits of Germany. 223- 



and for the production of chloride of potash, but it is also used 

 as a fertilizer. It contains 9*8 per cent, of potash and 60 per 

 cent, of chlorides. 



Bergkieserit, — This contains 7*5 per cent, of potash. 



There are also several purified or manufactured salts obtained 

 from the above products. The double sulphate of potash and 

 magnesia is very rich in potash and almost free from chlorides,, 

 containing 27*2 per cent, of pure potash, but it is very much 

 dearer per unit than the natural salts. This is also the case with 

 sulphate of potash, which is prepared in two grades, viz., 96 

 per cent, sulphate (srS per cent, potash) and 90 per cent, 

 sulphate (48'6 per cent, potash). Chloride of potash is sold in, 

 several grades guaranteed to contain 56'8, 50*5, and 44*5 per cent, 

 of pure potash. Another prepared potash fertilizer containing 

 chloride of potash is sold in Germany under the name of 40, 30, 

 or 20 per cent. " kalidiingesalz "; the amount of chloride of 

 potash in each grade is respectively 62*5, 47"6, and 3r6 per cent. 



The production of potash salts has now reached very large 

 dimensions, and a number of the mines and factories are combined' 

 for the purposes of sale in the Potash Syndicate, which represents 

 the interests of twenty-eight works. The formation of this Syndi- 

 cate dates from 1876, and it has a somewhat special character, 

 owing to the fact that it includes the mines belonging to the 

 Prussian Crown and to the Duchy of Anhalt. The Prussian 

 Government, it is stated,^ took part in this Syndicate not only 

 in the interests of its own mines but also in the agricultural 

 interest, for the purpose of reserving to itself a certain right in 

 the fixing of the price at which the products should be sold to 

 agriculturists. Its influence has made itself felt by securing the 

 sale of potash on special terms to German farmers through the 

 German Agricultural Society and other Agricultural Associations. 



The extent to which the consumption of natural potash salts, 

 has grown in Germany may be gathered from a return made by 

 the German Agricultural Society. In 1885 the amount used 

 was 1,375,000 cwt., in 1895 it was 9,593,000 cwt., and in 1903 

 20,836,000 cwt. Of this amount about 20 per cent, is at the 

 present time supplied through the Society, apart from the 

 quantities purchased from other Agricultural Associations. It 



* Jahrbuch der Dent. Land, Gesel/., 1901, p. 173. 



