378 Quarterly Reports of the Chemical Committee, 1881. 
This guano was largely adulterated, and not worth more 
than 21. per ton. It was guaranteed to contain 9j per cent, of 
ammonia, and its price was 12/. per ton for cash. In reply to 
the usual application for the vendor's name and address. Dr. 
Voelcker received the following letter from Mr. Harris : — 
" Fletchamstead, Coventry, Nov. 19th, 1881. 
" Dear Sir, — In reply to yours of the 16th inst., I showed your 
valuation of the so-called guano, and the person I purchased it of took all back 
I had left, and returned me the money for what I had used. So I considered 
the affair settled." 
5. A sample of nitrate of soda, bought by S, J. Knight, 
Greenfields, Horley, Surrey, at 16/. per ton, had the following 
composition : — 
Moisture .. 2*55 
Chloride of sodium (common salt) 38 " 75 
Other impurities 0"33 
Pure nitrate of soda 58 "37 
100-00 
The nitrate of soda, it will be seen, was shamefully adulterated 
with common salt, and on comparison with good commercial 
nitrate, containing 95 per cent, of pure nitrate of soda, worth • 
only 9/. I65. per ton. 
No information respecting the dealers of the adulterated 
nitrate could be obtained. 
6. Another sample sold as nitrate of soda to Mr. Joseph Walls, 
of Wrotham, was found to consist of : — 
Water of crystallisation, and moisture .. .. 56'20 
Sulphate of soda 43*80 
100-00 
It contained no nitrate whatever, and was simply crystallized 
sulphate of soda, or Glauber salts. 
In reply to the usual inquiries, Mr. Wall wrote as follows : — 
'• Wrotham, Dec. 3rd,' 1881. 
" My object really was simply to ascertain if the article is of any manurial 
value, and if safe to use on the land. It was represented to be ])ure nitrate of 
soda. I paid a deposit on it, which, if it is what is known as washing soda, 
amounts to about its value. The party who sold it (0 me, I find, is not worth 
powder and shot, so that I would not care to spend money upon him, but 
should he press for further payment I shall be glad to avail myself of your 
assistance. — I am, dear Sir, yours truly, 
" Joseph Walls. 
« H. M. Jenkins, Esq." 
7. A sample of linsecd-cako, sent by Mr. Henry W. Grimes, 
Scarliffe Grange, Chesterfield, was found to be adulterated with 
