be considered "first sort" specimens. And so long as our standard remains as it now is, potash of this degree of purity must hold that rank in market.

I will now state briefly what I consider to be the advantages and disadvantages of Pearce's process.

The first advantage is a great increase in the amount of potash obtained from the ashes. I was not aware of the importance of this until I examined the certificate of Dr. Pulford, (No. 2.) From this it appears that 12 bushels of ashes yielded upon the old plan, 78 pounds of potash, while the same quantity of ashes upon the patent plan yielded 145 pounds. Admitting the specimens to be of equal purity, here is a gain of nearly 100 per cent in favor of the new plan. This important fact rests upon the authority to which I have referred, and is confirmed by the positive assurances of several respectable manufacturers with whom I have conferred.— There is said also to be a great saving of time in performing the

process.

These advantages are of course derived from the use of small leach tubs, and the employment of hot, instead of cold water, by which the alkali is more completely as well as more speedily dissolved.

Another benefit resulting from this process depends upon the mode in which lime is mixed with the ashes, in alternate layers. It is well known that the addition of lime to the ashes renders the alkali more pure or caustic, by combining with the carbonic and sulphuric acids, which wood ashes always contains. In the ordinary method the lime is only placed in the bottom of a large tub, but in this it is distributed throughout the whole mass of ashes, and thus its action is rendered more efficient. I should repeat a remark formerly made, that the addition of quick lime in ever so large a quantity to the ashes, can do no injury to the potash; on the contrary, it increases its purity in the manner that I have just explained. For both the lime, and the carbonate formed during the process, are very sparingly soluble in water. The case, however is different, as must readily be observed, when lime is added during the boiling of the ley; it then is positively a fraudulent operation, because the lime is mixed with the potash, and sold at the same price, unless its presence is detected by the inspector.

The principles just adverted to will explain the reason why, in the specimen of patent potash, the amount of pure alkali is greater, while that of carbonated alkali is less than in the other; and also why the proportion of sulphate of potash, (called nitre by the manufacturers,) is less in the former than the latter. The lime being more thorougly incorporated with the ashes, performs its office with more effect.

But there is one part of this process which should be more particularly noticed, and the benefit of which is not so apparent. I refer, of course, to the use of common salt. In the specimen which I analyzed, there was upwards of 11 per cent of chloride of sodium and potassium, or nearly 5 per cent more than in the other, to which no salt was added during the process. Whatever may be

said in favor of the use of this substance in facilitating the "melting" of the potash, it is certain that its addition must detract from its purity. It is not necessary to advert to the chemical changes which are effected by the mixture of salt with the potash. But it is well known that it is very soluble in water, and that it must pass through the leach and be mixed with the potash in nearly the same proportion that it is added; and thus the consumer is made to pay the same price for the salt that he does for the potash. The views which I submitted concerning the effects of this substance in my former report I have no reason to change; but at the time that was made, I was not aware of the extent to which it was employed. any reliance is to be placed upon the statements of the manufacturers with whom I have conferred, the employment of salt is very general in what is called the old plan. If this is the case, the objection which has been urged against the patent potash will equally apply to the other. Certain it is, that I have not found so large a proportion of pure alkali in any of the specimens which I have examined, as is contained in those said to have been made upon the patent plan.

If

Now I am far from believing that the employment of salt is either necessary or useful, and in my opinion a much purer article might be obtained without its addition; and if it was made the interest of the manufacturer to prepare potash of the greatest purity, I am satisfied it would be dispensed with on the new as well as on the old plan. But as at present the only object is to manufacture an article which will pass as 'first sort,' the case is somewhat different. And, as I have before said, the specimens manufactured according to Pearce's mode, which I have examined, equal, if they do not exceed in purity, those ordinarily ranked as such. Under these circumstances, from a review of my analyses and of those of professor Hadley, from the general principles of solution and chemical decomposition, and especially from the facts which have been stated with regard to the increased amount of alkali obtained, I am forced to the conclusion that the manufacture of potash upon this plan is a decided and important improvement. But its continuance as such must depend in a great degree upon the honesty of the manufacturer and the vigilance and skill of the inspector.

I need only add, that in all that has been said concerning "patent potash," I have referred to the abridgement of the specifications of Pearce's patent. Under this general name, there may, for aught I know, be other kinds in market, to which the foregoing remarks will not apply.

[Assem. No. 298.]

DR. PULFORD,

No. 4.

Certificate of Professor Hadley.

Dear sir-I have carefully examined the samples of potash which you put into my hands, and from the average results of a number of experiments, find that No. 1 yields 73.75 per cent real alkali, No. 2 yields 64.5 per cent real alkali. The neutralizing power of No. 1 is to that of No. 2 as 73.75 to 64.5, and their fitness for any of the purposes to which potash is applied, and of course the value of each respectively, is in the same proportion. Yours, &c.

Fairfield, Oct. 19, 1832.

JAMES HADLEY.

IN ASSEMBLY,

April 10, 1833.

COMMUNICATION

From the Comptroller, in relation to giving deeds for lands sold for taxes when the Comptroller's certificate is lost.

COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
Albany, April 10, 1833.

}

To W. BAKER,

Speaker of the Assembly.

SIR

I beg leave herewith to present to the Assembly, a communication on the subject of giving deeds, and refunding money from the treasury, in cases where the certificate given by the Comptroller on the sale of lands for taxes, has been lost.

I have the honor to be,

With great respect,

Your ob't servant,

A. C. FLAGG.

【Assem. No. 299.]

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