154 Annual Report for 1905 of the Consulting Chemist. 
(a) A member sent me, for analysis, a sample of basic slag 
which he hacl bought as “ the best quality.” It analysed : — 
Per cent. 
Phosphoric acid . . . . . 13'54 
Equal to phosphate of lime . . . 29*56 
Fineness ....... 71*00 
As the “ best quality ” basic slag is generally sold now on 
a basis of 38 to 45 per cent, of phosphates, and of 85 to 90 per 
cent. “ fineness,” it will be seen that this delivery was very far 
removed from being of “ the best quality.” It cost 21. 4s. per 
ton delivered, and was decidedly dear. The purchaser was 
made an allowance of 7s. per ton. 
(5) Another member purchased basic slag without a 
guarantee, paying 39s. 3 d. per ton. Analysis of a sample 
gave : — 
Per cent. 
Phosphoric acid . . . . . . 11*71 
Equal to phosphate of lime . . . 25*57 
Fineness ....... 78*00 
This, again, was very dear, and 48 tons had already been 
purchased and used before a sample was sent for analysis. 
There is little need of further emphasising the benefits which 
might accrue from a more general use of the privileges which 
the Royal Agricultural Society offers to its members. 
2. Steamed Bones. 
During the year several instances have been brought to 
light in which, through the presence in steamed bones of 
some quantity of sulphate of lime, inferiority of quality has 
resulted. Bones naturally contain a quite small quantity of 
sulphate of lime, but this does not exceed *25 per cent. ; 
hence, if sulphates are found in any quantity, it may be 
concluded that they have been added. In some cases this is 
by direct admixture of gypsum (sulphate of lime) used for the 
purpose of drying the material, and so getting it in better 
condition ; in others by the employment, in treating the raw 
bones, of a new process called “the sulphite process,” in which 
the bones, for the purpose of getting a clearer and less-coloured 
glue out of them, are treated with sulphurous acid ; this results 
in the formation of sulphite of lime, which, on exposure to 
the air, gradually becomes oxidised to sulphate of lime. 
Whichever plan is adopted, the result is to produce a material 
inferior in quality to steamed bones obtained by the ordinary 
process of steaming. Wherever such special treatment has 
been adopted, it is imperative that the product, when sold, 
should be accurately described, and due notification be given 
of what has been done. It is not enough to give merely the 
