40 
SELECTED ARTICLES. 
opened. Portions of them were carefully analyzed, in most 
cases repeating the processes and deducing the mean. The 
general formula which I adopted, was that already given, with 
the addition that during the operation C, I ascertained the 
amount of carbonic acid, which had been expelled by the 
action of the acetic acid. 
Table of the proportion of hydrate of potash, carbonic acid, 
fyc. contained in two specimens of commercial potash. 
Insoluble 
matter. 
Sulph. of 
potash. 
Chlor. of potas- 
sium. & sodium. 
Carb. 
acid. 
Purehydr. 
of potash 
To- 
tal. 
11 
1.7 
12.5 
6.9 
5 
73.9 
100 
12 
2.5 
10.2 
11.1 
2 
74.2 
100 
No. 11. Was manufactured according to the common me- 
thod. 
No. 12. Manufactured according to the patent already de- 
scribed. Both were prepared expressly for trial as above 
stated. 
In reviewing these analyses it will be found, that there is 
almost every variety in the parcels of potash brought to mar- 
ket. In those kinds which pass inspection, the proportion of 
what is called carbonated potash, varies from about sixty to 
eighty per cent. It is proper to remark, however, that I use 
the term "carbonated" in an indefinite sense, for the carbonic 
acid is seldom in the proportion necessary to constitute the 
true carbonates. In some instances, as in the two last, the 
amount of carbonic acid was exceedingly small, which is per- 
haps to be ascribed to the free use of lime, and to the cautious 
exclusion of the atmosphere, and also to the fact that I always 
selected fragments from the interior of a large mass. 
Improvements of the manufacture. — From the facts which 
have now been presented, some opinion may be formed of the 
nature and extent of the adulterations of the potash, manufac- 
tured in the State of New York. It is a question not easily 
settled, whether any further legislative provisions are neces- 
sary to ensure the purity of this article. Taking it for granted 
