322 Annual Report of the Consulting Chemist for 1885. 
nitrogen is clear, and of this fact farmers will not be slow to 
avail themselves. A considerable increase in its use must be 
expected, it being now cheaper bj far than it has ever been 
before ; indeed, at present it is the cheapest form in which 
nitrogen can be applied to the land. Nevertheless, I believe that 
there are certain soils on which, and certain conditions under 
which, nitrate of soda, though dearer, may yet be found the more 
advantageous to use. It is a point worthy of note, that while 
the samples of nitrate of soda analysed during the year have 
shown some variations in quality, the absence of adulteration in 
the form of salt has been most marked, not a single sample 
examined having been found to be purposely adulterated. 
Refuse Materials. — The following analyses may be of in- 
terest : — 
Fur Waste. 
Dressed 
Fur. 
Carpet Croppings. 
Seal Croppings. 
Sealskin 
Waste. 
No. 1. No. 2. 
No. 1. 
No. 2. 
Percentage ofl 
nitrogen . . / 
8-09 
8-05 
11-32 1 11-94 
11-95 
11-67 
10-55 
Equal to am-1 
monia . . J 
9-82 
10-50 
13-74 14-49 
14-51 
14-17 
12-81 
Shrimp 
Shells. 
Fish Liver 
Rc fuse. 
Carbonate of lime, alkalits, &c. 
7G-01 
16-07 
2-09 
5-22 
-61 
26-41 
24-03 
2-33 
10-03 
37-20 
100-00 
100-00 
1- 73 
2- 10 
1- 71 
2- 09 
PVaters. — A number of samples of water have further been 
examined. In several of these the amount of solid matters has 
been found to be enormously large, and when occurring in such 
quantity, waters are thereby rendered quite unfit for drinking 
purposes, independently of any further objectionable features 
they may show. I quote the following analyses (p. 323). 
,, No. 1 was a water from near Marston Morteyne, and was 
very brackish, owing probably to the existence of saline deposits 
in the neighbourhood of the well from which the water came. 
