ANALYSES OF THE POTATO, 
37 
from either half. The acetic solution, however, must be first neutralized by carbonate 
of ammonia, when the albumen goes down, and from which the liquid must be freed. 
It may then be evaporated to a small bulk, and alcohol added in a large quantity, when 
the dextrine appears in fiocculi which must be left to subside. It may then be filtered 
upon a prepared filter, and weighed. The remaining liquid is now evaporated in water, 
in a cup whose weight is accurately determined, until it ceases to lose weight : this matter 
is called sugar. The fibre which had been obtained in an uniform state, is freed from 
fatty matter and gluten by means of alcohol in a retort. Ether is afterwards employed 
to free the gluten from fat, which is cautiously distilled off or evaporated in a weighed cup. 
My readers will now be prepared to set a proper value upon the labors which have been 
performed in the laboratory. The foregoing statements, I hope, have also prepared the way 
for entering upon a detailed account of the results which have been obtained. I shall, in 
the first place, give the analyses of the potato plant; and I may again say that the order 
of arrangements is governed by necessity, being obliged to give in the first place the 
analyses of those substances which are in the greatest state of forwardness ; and as analyses 
are still in progress, and will be for three months to come, those which are made hereafter 
will be placed in an appendix. 
The analysis of the potato plant is extended to the stalks, leaves and tubers; they have 
not been confined to the tuber. All the varieties which I could obtain have been analyzed. 
I. MERCER POTATO. 
Color white or grayish white; flesh white; form elongated, much longer than wide. 
The potatoes analyzed were raised in Cortland county, by N. Salisbury, Esq. Length, 
5 inches; thickness, inches. 
1. Analysis of the ash of the whole potato. 
Silica 
Phosphates 
Lime 
Magnesia 
Potash 
Soda 
Sulphuric acid 
Carbonic acid 
Organic matter 
4-400 
- 38-500 
0-150 
0-800 
- 13-263 
- 24-925 
6-254 
trace. 
2-536 
102-434 S. 
