ON T H E PREPARATION OF AMnONIUI1 CITRATE SOLUTION. Bs RVIK)I.FI)I: Roonri. K e ~ c i v c dS m ~ l i i l m26. 1894.
M
A S Y times iii prepariiig a solution of ainmoniuiii citrate, I have observed a fact wliicli seems to indicate that the preparation of a strictly neutral solution is an extremely siiiiple matter. If soiiie citric acid is treated with ten per cent. aniiiioiiia uiitil dissolved, the solutioii becomes quite hot, and if it is now diluted to nearly the proper specific gravity, made decidedly alkaline with aniinoiiia. aiid allowed to stand over iiiglit in an open dish, it will be found in the nioriiing to be strictly neutral, Being n-arm aiid in aii open dish the excess of ammonia escapes completely, leaving it neutral. For the last four or five tiiiies which I h a r e had occasion to prepare aii aninioriiuni citrate solution, I have observed this fact atid each time have found it uiiiiecessnry to alter the neutrality in tlie least degree. I find it very convenieiit. I also fiiid it advantageous to add a small quantity of salicylic acid to the solution (about one g r . for five liters of solution is sufficient). This is added before iieutralization, so that tlie salicylic acid is also neutralized by the aiiiinoiiia. The salicylic acid prevents the growth of fungus in the solution aiid it reniaiiis uricliariged a long time. Some solution six nioritlis old when used in fertilizer work, gave results practically identical with those obtained by the use of a freshly prepared solution. A G H I CITTCRAL EXI’ERIMEST STATION, B I ~ R G A S T O ~ V SWEST , VIRGINIA, Kovernber 12, 1S94.
T H E DETERMINATION OF POTASH IN IIANURES. BY W . E. G . ~ K R I G U R S . Kec
