Q,mrlerly iieport of the Chemical Committee, June, 1891. 40o 
you would find this a most serviceable article ; some of our customers 
express regret at not having had the opportunity of using it before, and 
would not now be without any. Your order will be esteemed. — Truly, 
James Arkell & Co. 
11. Mr. J. Redman, of Winterbourne, Swindon, sent on March 
21a si^mple of meal for analysis, saying that it was " Oat Sharps" 
and was offered to him at about 4/. per ton. 
The following was the report on the material : — 
April 6, 1891. 
Moisture 10-38 
Oil 0-33 
Albuminous compounds (flesh-forming matters) . 0 ()0 1 -^qq.^ 
Mucilage, sugar, and digestible fibre . . . 54'81 [ 
AVoody fibre (cellulose) 30 40 
Mineral matter (ash) 3-39' 
' Containing nitrogen ..... O il 
- Including sand ...... 2-84 
This is nothing more than oat husks, and is almost entirely fibrous 
material, having but little feeding value. The price asked for it is altogether 
absurd, and I would not advise you to use it. 
Mr. Redman did not purchase any of the meal. 
12. Mr. J. C. Buckwell, of 3 New Road, Brighton, sent for ex- 
amination on February 26 a sample of manure which was sold to 
him as " Silicate Manure," for vines. He had purchased two tons, 
the price being "1. per ton ; the vendors were the Patent Silicate 
Manure Co., Chemical Works, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. The fol- 
lowing was the analysis returned :— 
April 10, 1891. 
Moisture 40o\ 
• Organic matter 679 
Sulphate of lime 22-95 1 100 00 
Oxide of iron, &c. 2-30 
Insoluble ailicious matter 64-01 / 
' Containing nitrogen 0-89 
Equal to ammonia 1-08 
This is little more than sand and sulphate of lime. It is scandalous 
to charge such a price as 71. a ton for a material like this. 
Mr. Buckwell said that it was supposed to contain a very large 
proportion of soluble silicates, and was strongly recommended for 
vines. On examining the sample, Dr. Voelcker found that the 
manure contained no soluble silicates at all, and wrote to Mr. Buck- 
well as follows : — 
To my report I may add that I have tested the manure carefully, and it 
contnins practically no soluble silicates at all, and the availability is just 
about equal to that of groujid jlints, Avhich, indeed, the manure sent by you 
virtually is, together with some sulphate of lime and a little organic matter. 
Whether 11. a ton is a fair price for such a material or not I thhik my 
report to you has clearly indicated. 
