III. RAW MATERIALS CONTAINING POTASH. CARBONATE OF POTASH. Pure carbonate of potash contains 68.2 per cent of actual potash (K2O), but commercial grades usually contain from 60 to 65 per cent. Most of the samples submitted were guaranteed to contain 96 per cent carbonate of potash which is equivalent to 65.44 per cent actual potash. Thirteen samples were analyzed, all but one being submitted by purchasers. Two samples, Nos. 22494 and 22495, failed to meet their guaranties by 3.01 and 2.18 per cent respectively; these samples were from the same stock as two previous samples viz., 22358 and 22356, both of which more nearly approached the guaranty. Analyses are given in Table VIII. MURIATE OF POTASH. The usual commercial grade of this salt is about 80 per cent pure containing about 50.5 per cent actual potash. Because it readily absorbs moisture, guaranties are often placed somewhat lower, viz., 48 to 50 per cent. The prevailing guaranty for samples examined this year was 50 per cent. Thirteen samples were analyzed, four of which contained considerably less than 48 per cent. Sample 22871 was from three bags which represented the remainder of a four-ton lot. The analysis may not, therefore, be representative of the whole ship ment. Nos. 23140 and 23324 were purchaser's samples from the same lot. The goods were sold by the L. T. Frisbie Company and obtained by them from the Consolidated Rendering Company of Boston. These two samples were considerably below the guaranty of 50 per cent; an official sample, 23242, taken by the Station agent at the plant of the Frisbie Company exceeded the guaranty by nearly 1.5 per cent. The average for all samples is close to 50 per cent (49.92), of potash which, at the average of prices quoted, $44.40, makes the cost of potash in this material 4.5 cents per pound or 90 cents per unit. The lowest cost noted is 3.8 cents, and the highest is 5 cents per pound. Analyses are given in Table VIII. HIGH GRADE SULPHATE OF POTASH. The commercial grades of this salt generally contain about 48.0 per cent of potash which is approximately 90 per cent sulphate of potash. Twenty-six samples were examined of which ten were drawn by the Station agent and the remainder by purchasers. The official samples substantially met or exceeded their guaranties. Several samples, submitted by purchasers, while of fair average quality did not meet the guaranties quoted for them which were over 50 per cent. Two, 22350 and 22535, were considerably under 48 per cent. The average potash content was 49.1 per cent and the cost per pound, based upon the few prices quoted, averaged 5.5 cents. Seven samples, representing early season purchases of the American Sumatra Tobacco Co., were submitted by the purchasers. The samples purported to be high grade sulphate but, on analysis, only one conformed to that grade, the others containing from 30 to 40 per cent of potash with considerable and varying amounts of chlorine and magnesia. Investigation by the Station agent showed that this shipment was received in the original import sacks distinguished only by serial numbers; and that there were two grades in the lot, one in bags marked 419 and the other in bags marked 482 and 600. The low grade stock was included in the shipment by mistake and replacement was made. Analyses are given in Table VIII. 22417 Carbonate of Potash. Sampled by Station: 23234 Apothecaries Hall Co., Waterbury. Sampled by Purchaser: J. A. Glasnapp, West Cheshire. F. A. Bartlett, Stamford. 55.90 50.00 22923 52.08 48.00 23012 Muriate of Potash-Continued. Berkshire Fertilizer Co., Bridgeport.. " Nitrate Agencies Co., Bound Brook, N. J.. Sampled by Purchaser: American Agricultural Chemical Co., New York. The L. T. Frisbie Co., New Haven. Station No. TABLE VIII. ANALYSES OF POTASH SALTS-Continued. Manufacturer or Wholesale Dealer. Dealer or Purchaser. Found. Potash. Guaranteed. Station No. 23018 22919 23241 189 Sulphate of Potash-Continued. 6 Apothecaries Hall Co., Waterbury. 23158 23431 22420 S. P. 500... 1 Guaranteed 93.6 per cent sulphate of potash. ? Guaranteed 97.01 per cent sulphate of potash. |