COMMERCIAL POTASH OP THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 37 
Although from several experiments, I was satisfied that 
soda was also contained in most of the specimens which I ex- 
amined, the curious play of affinities between the salts of soda 
and of potash, rendered it difficult to determine the exact 
state of combination in which it existed. Indeed, the process 
required for their separation, especially when the soda is in 
small proportion to the potash, is so delicate as to preclude its 
employment in ordinary inspection. It may, however, be of 
use to the inspector, to be aware of the different effects pro- 
duced upon the carbonates of potash and soda by exposure to 
the air; the former, as it is well known to chemists, soon be- 
comes moist, and assumes the liquid form, while the latter is 
not thus affected. I am the more particular in adverting to 
this fact, because I have heard it urged as an objection to some 
samples of potash that, by exposure to the air, they rapidly 
deliquiated or became moist. But of course the more rapidly 
potash undergoes this change, the more pure is it to be con- 
sidered. It should not, however, be understood, that moist 
potash is the purest; for in this state, it contains a large quan- 
tity of water, which adds nothing to its value. I performed 
an experiment to ascertain the increase of weight which com- 
mon potash experiences, by exposure to a moist atmosphere. 
The mass weighed four hundred and thirteen grains. After 
three hours exposure, it had gained five grains; in twenty- 
four hours, its weight was increased twenty-seven grains, or 
more than six per cent. 
As I have observed, the presence of soda was inferred in 
several of the specimens and, had time permitted, might pro- 
bably have been detected in all. In two of these, however, it 
existed in such large proportion, that it could be readily sepa- 
rated by adding muriatic acid, and carefully crystallising the 
solution. I would particularize No. 7 in the following table, 
which was designated by the inspector, as " highly salted," a 
decision which my analysis fully confirmed. It is probable, 
for reasons which have been given in the former part of this 
communication, that the soda existed in the form of carbonate, 
