BULLETIN OF THE BUSSEY INSTITUTION. 173 
good reason for believing that both of the high-grade samples were 
really what they pretended to be. For example, we have only to 
assume that No. III. contained 147/ of moisture at the time when it 
was bought, and that No. IV. contained between 8% and 9%, in order 
that the amounts of soluble phosphoric acid found in the samples 
shall accord with the warranted quantities. The absorption of 6% 
of moisture in the one case, and of 10% in the other, would debase 
the 15% superphosphate to 14%, and the 20% article to less than 
18%. The doubt and uncertainty occasioned by this absorption of 
water, and a part of the expense incurred at Boston in transfer- 
ring the superphosphates from the rotten bags to barrels, would, 
of course, have been avoided if the samples had been packed in tight 
kegs or casks in the first instance. Even the lower grade samples 
(Nos. I. and II.) may have deteriorated somewhat through absorption 
of water. At all events, the amount of moisture found in them would 
seem to be unduly large. The superphosphate obtained from Mr. 
Lawes was properly packed in casks for the voyage ; but the sample 
analyzed had been a good deal exposed to the air after the casks were 
opened before it reached the laboratory. 
It will be noticed that in the high-grade samples (Nos. III. and 
IV.) but little, if any, of the soluble phosphoric acid has ‘“ gone 
back” or been ‘‘ reduced” to the insoluble state. In neither instance 
is the amount of insoluble phosphoric acid larger than would be 
likely to occur in fresh samples. The fact that so little of it has 
been found in these specimens is a good indication of their excel- — 
lence. 
The prices paid for these superphosphates in Europe, and the cost 
of transporting them to this country, will appear from the following 
statements, which have been drawn up by Mr. Henry Saltonstall, 
Treasurer of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agricul- 
ture :— 
Actual Cost of Three Tons German Superphosphate, from Dr. L. Mar- 
quart, of Bonn, via Rotterdam, to Boston, June, 1873. 
s. d. us Sie 
S. I. 20 Bales, 10% @ 63. ; i 2 SB0 
S. II 20 « 15% @ 8 4 P ; : 8 68 
S. III. 20 « 20% @106. , ; - 10 10 0 
Paid Dr. Marquart nbSolcLsras , 25 1 8 or florins, 305.00 
