COMMERCIAL POTASH OF THE STATE OP NEW YORK. 4% 
that inspection laws are right and proper, in cases like the 
present, it seems to me that they should be rendered more 
efficient in their operation. I know it is urged, with some 
plausibility, that the reputation of our potash is now higher 
in foreign markets, than that of any other country, and that it 
is not for our interest to improve the manufacture. In answer 
to this, however, one or two facts deserve to be mentioned. 
The first is that although when potash can be largely adulte- 
rated, and still, by the ordinary inspection, pass as first or 
second sort, there is a premium placed on the most successful 
adulteration, the fraud cannot long escape detection. The 
large manufacturing establishments, both in England and on the 
continent, are generally conducted by practical chemists, who 
are familiar with the modes of testing the purity of the sub- 
stances which they employ. Such tests, if I do not mistake, 
they constantly apply in the case of commercial potash, and 
by them its true value is determined. American potash can- 
not surely retain its high character, if the consumer finds it to 
contain one-third or one-fourth its weight of soda salts. 
Another consideration worthy of notice is, that the carbo- 
nate of soda, the barilla of commerce, is now extensively 
manufactured in England and France, and its abundant supply 
appears destined to exert an important influence, upon the 
manufacture of potash in this country. The soda-ash, as it is 
commonly called, is much cheaper and answers equally well 
for most of the uses to which alkaline substances are applied. 
Potash, however, will still continue to be preferred in many 
of the arts and in some indeed it is indispensable. But to 
retain its value in this respect, it is necessary that it should be 
of tolerable purity. When it contains a large admixture of 
salt, it can be of little more value in foreign markets than the 
soda-ash, and such will soon be its level, if these adulterations 
become, as all past experience leads us to fear they will, in- 
creased in their proportions and extended in their employ- 
ments. 
It is therefore plainly our interest by all means, to prevent 
the adulteration of our potash, and to encourage the adoption 
VOL. II.' — no. i. 6 
