
398 REPORT OF THE CHEMIST OF THE 
If the copper carbonate were made from copper sulphate and 
sal soda, the cost of four ounces would be about four cents, instead 
of ten cents, and this would reduce the cost of two pounds of 
copperdine to twenty-three cents. Allowing for the cost of mixing, 
which is very slight, and of the tin éan, in which the material is 
put up, two pounds of copperdine can hardly cost the manufac- 
turer more than thirty or thirty-five cents. As each two-pound 
can sells for seventy-five cents, the poster of profit is not difficult 
to calculate. 
Another question arises in connection with the use of this mix- 
ture, and that is this, “Is it properly prepared so that when used 
in accordance with the directions given, it will not be too weak or 
too strong? The directions on the can indicate that the two 
’ pounds of material are to be dissolved in forty gallons of water, 
making an equivalent of about one ounce of copper carbonate to 
ten gallons of water, which is the exact strength recommended by 
the United States Department of Agriculture. 
The mixture easily dissolved in water, forming a clear solution. 
While this preparation is properly made, so far as regards strength, 
the fruit-growers can decide whether it is the most economical 
form to purchase for use. 
2. Another sample of dry copperdine, as prepared for ne | 
season of 1892, was examined. Its general characteristics were 
like those of the first sample. It was found to contain 7.35 per 
cent. of copper, equivalent to about one-tenth of an ounce more 
of copper than the first sample. It was found to contain some 
sulphate. When dissolved in water, the solution was turbid and 
dirty. This sample was sent out under the name of “ammoniated 
carbonate of copper.” ' 
3. The “liquid copperdine,” as put up for 1891, was found to 
contain two per cent. of copper, equivalent to about one and one- 
eighth ounces of copper carbonate. The liquid form, therefore, 
contained a little more. than one-fourth the copper carbonate con- 
tained in the dry form. The cost of its materials, reckoned on 
the same basis, would be eight and one-half cents. Allowing for 
cost of mixing and of can, the total cost of two pounds of “liquid 
copperdine” might, perhaps, approximate as high as twelve or 
fifteen cents. ach two-pound can sold for fifty cents, giving a 
considerably increased rate of profit, even over the oy form. 
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