Mr. GEORGE DIXON said he regarded the proposal of the Government as of a retrograde character and warned them that they would not have the support of the Liberal Unionists or of the electors generally on the question of devoting public rates to voluntary schools.(Opposition cheers.) After some remarks from Mr. TOMLINSON, who said his borough (Preston) had never suffered under the infliction of a school board, and therefore would not be benefited under the bill as proposed, Mr. MOLLOY described the language used by Lord Hartington to the Government as threatening. He said the bill would only benefit onethird of the country, that covered by the School Boards, and he desired to see technical education extended to the whole of the country. Mr. ILLINGWORTH charged the Government with attempting to upset the compromise effected some years ago on the education question. Sir W. HART-DYKE said no man had struggled more than he had done during the last two years to try and find some solution of the difficulty, and if he had failed, he failed in company with some of the acutest intellects of the country. It being one o'clock, the Chairman, in accordance with the rules, left the chair, and the debate stood adjourned. THE SALT UNION AND THE AMERICAN SALT SYNDICATE. AMALGAMATION AGREED TO. ON Tuesday the 16th inst., the Salt Union issued a circular to their shareholders and debenture holders, stating that Mr. Thomas Ward, manager of the Cheshire district of the Salt Union, had returned from America, and enclosing for the shareholders' information a report on the properties proposed to be acquired and controlled in the United States and Canada. According to a provisional agreement between the Salt Union and the representatives of the North American Salt Company for safeguarding mutual interests, shareholders and debenture stockholders of the Union have the right to subscribe for the whole or part of the capital stock issued in England; and Mr. Erasmus Wimpan, New York, is now in England empowered to represent the American Company. The Salt Union will have the right to nominate three directors of the board or committee of the company in England, and Lord Thurlow, chairman, and Mr. Joseph Verdin, managing director for Cheshire, have intimated their willingness to act, and a third director will shortly be chosen. In the opinion of the Salt Union the arrangement between English and American salt manufacturers will be of great value to both companies, and is calculated to conserve and improve their position in regard to the salt trade in the United States and Canada. Mr. Ward. in his report, states that he visited over 70 district salt-works, and found everywhere a desire to put a stop to the ruinous competition there, and he adds that no time could be more favourable than the present for unifying the various conflicting interests. Consolidation would introduce such economies that, without advancing materially the price of salt, good dividends may be earned. WATER POLLUTION. The pollution of water courses, particularly through the drainings of certain manufactories, is a nuisance, the removal of which, in the interest of the public health, it is impossible to lay too much stress upon. On the other hand the burdens which are imposed upon an industry by making it compulsory to purify the drainage in a satisfactory manner previous to allowing it to flow in the water courses, is often so considerable, and attended frequently with such heavy expense, that in not unseldom instances to carry out the provisions of such a measure with strictness would jeopardise the existence of the factory. For these reasons the discovery of an effective and practical purifying process, which can be carried out at an expense in proportion to the effect attained, is a subject of much importance. Hitherto none of the existing methods have obtained a universal recognition or adoption. Lately, however, the process of Dr. Oppermann has excited great attention in all interested circles. This method is based on the longknown disinfecting and purifying effect of ozone, or condensed oxygen. This not only destroys all micro-organic matter deleterious to health known to exist in water, but, already, used in very small quantities it will even make very bad water fit for drinking. The process is of the more importance for sugar manufactories, distilleries, breweries, etc., as the erection of large, and therefore costly, reservoirs is obviated by its use; in their place is a very simple drawing contrivance. As the oxygen container, Dr. Oppermann employs an ozonized magnesia, prepared in a peculiar manner, and of a jelly-like form, which deposits small quantities of sulphate-free iron soluble in cold water. The expense of purifying the beetroot-chipping water of 1000 Ctrs. of beet amounts, according to the Oppermann process, to 2-2.50 mks. In regard to the purification of town water the process is not surprassed by any other, as may be seen from the fact that the cost per day for every thousand inhabitants is only 40 pfg., the result being throughout successful. A BRACHER'S AUTOMATIC STILL. STILL that requires less condensing water than the amount of distillate obtained, and that, moreover, when once properly regulated, may be left working from one week's end to another without any attention, save the collection of the distillate, is, we think, a sufficient novelty to warrant a notice of it in these pages. Such a still is made and sold by Bracher and Company, of Wincanton. For chemical laboratories, photographers, chemists, and druggists, and all others requiring a steady supply of distilled water, this still seems to us invaluable, and, as it has been working for some time now in our laboratories, the results obtained with it may possibly be interesting to many of our readers. One curious feature of this still is, that a greater yield of distillate is obtained when the condensing water is allowed to flow away hot, and near the boiling point, than when a much larger quantity of condensing water is employed. As an instance, when the still was first started (the gas consumption being ten cubic feet per hour), the condensing water was going in at 58°F, and flowing out at 83°F, running at the rate of 13.5 gallons per hour. During a long trial the yield of distilled water was two pints per hour. The flow of the condensing water was next checked, until only 4:48 pints per hour were being employed, the temperature of the inflow being 58°F, and the outflow 172°F. During this experiment the yield of distilled water was 2'5 pints per hour. A third experiment was made by slackening the flow of condensing water, so that the outflow was nearly boiling; the inflow was 58°F as before, while the outflow had risen to 203°F, and the rate of flow 1'2 pints per hour. Under these conditions the yield of distillate was 2'7 pints per hour. The following is an illustration of this still, which thoroughly explains itself: The condensing water is run into the funnel shown in the open top of the apparatus, and a float, shown also at this spot, is placed in order to keep a definite and regular quantity of water in the still itself. The still is fed with the hot condenser water by means of an overflow pipe and regulating tap, the excess of condensing water finding its exit at the short neck attached to the side of the upper portion of the still, but we believe it would be quite possible to so regulate the supply that no condensing water whatever runs away from the still, except what appears as distillate. We expect our readers will say, Oh, we buy our distilled water cheap enough, what does it cost to make by Bracher's apparatus? We will see. We have already shown that 10 cubic feet of coal gas will produce 27 pints, therefore, one thousand cubic feet would produce 270 pints, or nearly 34 gallons, so, with gas at 2s. Iod. per thousand cubic feet, Bracher's still produces distilled water at a penny per gallon. SOCIETY OF CHEMICAL INDUSTRY. THE The GENERAL SECRETARY read the minutes of the last meeting, which were duly confirmed. Mr. LEVINSTEIN, of Manchester, and Mr. ALLEN, of Sheffield, were appointed scrutators. Mr. STANFORD asked if it was necessary for the scrutators to examine the ballot papers. He understood there were no new names proposed, and the Council were really elected already. The SECRETARY said it was merely a formality, but it was in accordance with the bye-laws that scrutators should be appointed to examine the lists. Mr. MUSPRATT said it always seemed to him a great pity that they should turn out two gentlemen from the meeting to examine these papers when they would much like to be present. Mr. DAVID HOWARD said there was power in the meeting to substi tute other names. Mr. STANFORD asked if it would not meet the difficulty if the President were to ask if there were any other names to be put in nomination. The PRESIDENT said it might perhaps be doubtful whether it was actually necessary for the scrutators to retire, and examine the papers, but it had better be done in order to comply with the bye-laws. Mr. CRESSWELL then read the report of the Council as follows: REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. The Council has the honour to report that the membership of the Society has increased from 2,395, as reported at the last meeting, to 2,445, or a net increase of 50 members. During the year 223 members have been elected, and 173 have been removed by death, resignation, and other causes. The losses by death have been unusually heavy, and include the following names eminent in pure and applied science :-Dr. J. Peter Griess, F.R.S., the discoverer of the azo-compounds; Dr. William Wallace, City Analyst of Glasgow, an authority on sanitation; J. J. Coleman, Chairman of the Glasgow and Scottish Section, the inventor of the Bell-Coleman mechanical dry air refrigerator; R. D. Silva, Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the Ecole Centrale, Paris, John Williams, a Vice-President of our Society, and at one time President of the Pharmaceutical Society, an authority of great weight in pharmacy, and one whose general presence and counsel we greatly miss; Dr. Warren De la Rue, F.R.S., a former President of the Chemical Society, whose researches in chemistry, electricity, and astronomy are historical; Dr. R. S. Newall, F. R.S., identified with the invention of wire rope and the manufacture of submarine cables; and Dr. John Percy, F.R.S., late President of the Iron and Steel Institute, author of " Percy's Metallurgy." During the year 55 papers and 5 communications have appeared in the Journal. Our thanks are due to those who have favoured the Society by reading these papers. The Journal daily increases in importance as a work of reference, and every effort is made by the Publication Committee to add to its value. Within the last few weeks Mr. Watson Smith has arranged to give up his lectureship at the Victoria University, and, taking up his abode in London, has agreed to make the editing of the Journal his main occupation, and this on terms which, after full deliberation, have been deemed satisfactory. The Council hopes that, in securing for the future his services, which have been so valuable in the past, it has promoted the best interests of the Society in whose continued prosperity the Journal is so important a factor. This step has been rendered possible by the satisfactory state of our finances. On the 21st June last the treasurer reported the sum of £3,688. 155. 9d. invested and £1,214. 4s. 5d. in the bank, as against £2,088. 11s. 9d. invested and £1,761. 12s. 9d. in the bank a year ago. The revenue last year, as will be seen from the balance sheet, amounted to £918. 145. 9d. more than the expenditure; due mainly to increased profit from advertisements in the journal, and economies in printing and publishing effected without in the least detracting from the quality of the Journal. This year the profits from advertisements will be less, as the Council has agreed to accept a lower sum on the representation of the publishers, who had over-estimated the returns from this source. The increased salary of the Editor, under the arrangement alluded to above, the cost of providing further office accommodation, the cost of housing and binding the books presented by Mr. Raphael Weldon, referred to in the last report, and the improbability of large accessions of members in the future, render this surplus most welcome, and wc are thus enabled to face the future with confidence and hope. Among minor matters connected with the Journal, the following may be mentioned:-A new class called " Photographic materials and processes" has been added to the Journal and Patent Literature, the code of rules for those engaged in the production of the Journal has been revised, the Journal is now printed in uniform type throughout, and we shall publish at the end of 1890 a collective subject-matter index of the first nine volumes. Dr. HUGO MULLER moved that the report of the council be adopted, which was seconded by Mr. MAKIN, and carried unanimously. Mr. RIDER Cook (Treasurer), said it was needless to read the balance sheet which was already in the members' hands, but he would take the opportunity of asking as many members as possible to avail themselves of the system of paying their subscriptions by means of bankers' orders, as it would save a great deal of trouble. He also asked members who did not get a receipt for their subscriptions by return of post not to attribute it to any neglect, as for about a fortnight the work was very heavy. He was glad to say that although they had invested £1,500. this year, he had at present over £1,200. in hand, which he thought would be sufficient to carry them over next year until the receipts for the next year came in. The investments had been £770. before the amount received for life compositions, and £3,000. the balance of receipts over expenditure. The PRESIDENT moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Rider Cook, the treasurer, for the care with which he had discharged his duties for the last eight years. This was seconded by Mr. Spiller, and carried by acclamation. Mr. RIDER COOK, in reply, said the duties of a treasurer were usually to find funds for the society he represented, but he was in the exceed. ingly fortunate position that the society was so prosperous that he had only to take care of the money, and see that it was properly invested, and this was a position which it was a pleasure to anyone to fill. Mr. MAKIN then moved the re-appointment of Messrs. Theobald Bros. and Miall as auditors. This was seconded by Mr. JOHN PATTINSON, and carried. NEXT ANNUAL MEETING. Prof. F. CLOWES, of Nottingham, said he much regretted that the chairman of the Nottingham branch, Sir John Turnie, who had arranged to give the invitation for next year, was unavoidably absent, having just telegraphed to him that he was unable to come. He did not need to say much in inviting the society to come to Nottingham next year, as the invitation had already received the approval of the Council. Nottingham was very central, and very well served by the railway systems of the country, and though there was not a very large amount of chemical industry in the town, the lace and hosiery manufactures would no doubt interest many members. There were also the works of the chairman, Sir John Turnie, who was one of the largest tanners in the country. But in drawing out the programme they were looking rather to visiting places within easy reach of Nottingham, and already some of the brewers of Burton had expressed their willingness to entertain members who would visit those large breweries. No doubt Sheffield also would be willing to show the process of steel and iron making, though there were examples of this to be found still nearer to Nottingham. With regard to the more social part of the programme he could only say that Nottingham would endeavour to maintain the reputation it had already for hospitality. The programme at present was only a sketch, but if the Society thought well to accept the invitation, and attend in large numbers, he could promise that every effort would be made to make the visit a pleasant one. Sir LOWTHIAN BELL seconded the motion, and said he had found a visit to Nottingham on a former occasion very interesting. The motion was carried unanimously. THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The PRESIDENT, after alluding to remarks he made at the inaugural meeting of the society in 1881, proceeded so give an account of the work he had been engaged in for many years in relation to obtaining new and abundant supplies of ammonia, and to investigations connected therewith. He referred to the great value of ammonia as manure as demonstrated by Lawes and Gilbert, especially for the old world, which now imports from South America 650,000 tons of nitrate of soda, a substitute for ammonia, representing a value of £6,500,000, and to the immense importance of saving this expenditure by securing this commodity from sources at our own command. The researches of Berthelot showed that ammonia was a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen, and that there were three sources from which it could be obtained, animal matter, vegetable matter, and the atmosphere, which contained 79 per cent of uncombined nitrogen. In old times ammonia was chiefly obtained from animal matter, in the main from the distillation of bones and horn, the quantity being small and the process expensive. The introduction of coal gas, however, afforded a larger and constantly increasing supply, as a bye-product and the total quantity of sulphate of ammonia produced annually in Europe in this way, was 140,000 tons. In recent times this had been augmented by the distillation of shale and the use of closed ovens in the manufacture of coke, and also by the extraction of ammonia from the gases in blast furnaces, but all these new processes only added about 40,000 tons of sulphate per annum. Many attempts had been made to obtain ammonia from air, but none had been successful on the manufacturing scale. So far back as 1861 he had attempted to extract ammonia from waste leather, and after many experiments came to the conclusion that it would be more profitable to powder the waste leather and mix it with other manures for direct application to the land. Subsequent experiments with animal charcoal were not more promising, and his attention being then given to the soda manufacture, he did not take up this matter again until 1879, when he engaged Mr. Hawliczeck to examine carefully into all the processess which had been devised for obtaining ammonia from air. These processes might be divided into three classes-Ist. Those which combined nascent hydrogen with nitrogen, by heat or electricity, and with or without the presence of acid gases. 2nd. Those in which nitrides were first formed from which ammonia was obtained by the action of hydrogen by steam. 3rd. Those in which cyanides were first formed, and ammonia obtained therefrom by the action of steam. The experiments began with those processes in which a mixture of steam and air acted on coke at a high temperature, sometimes in the presence of lime, baryta, or some other alkali, sometimes in the presence of hydrochloric acid. Many patents had been taken out for processes of this kind, and there was no doubt that ammonia was obtained, but careful investigation convinced them that the source of this ammonia was the coke and not the air. Amongst processes of the second class, based on the formation of nitrides and their subsequent decomposition, the nitrides of boron and titanium received most attention, but the high temperature required, and the volatility of boracic acid in a current of steam made it impossible to utilise the former industrially. There seemed a better chance for Tessie du Motay's titanium process, the only element of which they knew which formed several compounds with nitrogen, the higher of which being acted on by hydrogen at an elevated temperature produced ammonia and a lower nitride. But this lower nitride did not absorb nitrogen under any conditions under which it was tried, and consequently the process failed. The third class of processes based on the formation of cyanides gave better results, for it was found by the first experiments that the nitrogen could be easily led into combination, and cyanide of barium being more readily formed than any other, full attention was given to the process invented by MM. Sourdeval and Marguerite, which consists in heating a mixture of carbonate of barium and carbon in the presence of nitrogen, thereby producing cyanide of barium. This being treated with steam yields ammonia and regenerates the carbonate of barium employed. The great difficulty was the carbonate of barium fused at a high temperature, and attacked fire clay retorts very powerfully, but this would be overcome by mixing the carbonate with a sufficient quantity of barium, and some pitch, the compound being formed into balls or briquettes which would not be fused, and could be treated in a continuous apparatus, being charged from the top and withdrawn at the bottom after the treatment. A drawing was shown of an apparatus devised for this purpose, consisting of a clay retort at the top, joined to a cast iron one at the bottom. These experiments however were abandoned some years ago in consequence of the difficulty of getting clay retorts which would stand the high temperature without being too thick. He was not then acquainted with the excellent quality of clay retorts used in zinc works, by the aid of which he had no doubt the production of cyanides could be carried out without great difficulty, and cyanogen compounds might thus be obtained which might play an important role in organic synthesis; and in many metallurgical operations. The process also offered a solution of the problem of obtaining ammonia from the nitrogen of the atmosphere, but whether this could be done with satisfactory commercial results he had not suf ficient data to be able to answer; and he had not pursued the matter further as in the meantime he found that it was possible to obtain a very large supply of ammonia from the immense store of combined nitrogen in our coal at a reasonable cost. Mr. MOND proceeded to describe in detail the process he has adopted and the plant he uses for obtaining ammonia from coal, which is burnt by means of a mixture of air and steam in gas producers. The ammonia is recovered from the gas by absorbing it in scrubbers with sulphuric acid. By subsequently washing the gas in another scrubber with water, which becomes heated by the steam contained in the gas, and using the hot water so obtained in another scrubber for warming the air used in the producers, and saturating it at a temperature of 76Č with moisture, Mr. Mond has succeeded in recovering the greater part of the steam required for this process, and thus rendering it more economical. Mr. Mond obtains from every ton of fuel burnt in the producers gas and tar equivalent in heating power to 80 per cent. of the fuel used, and, in addition, 70 lbs. of sulphate of ammonia, which can thus be produced on a large scale at a cost of about £5. per ton, exclusive of maintenance and depreciation, and which at present fetches 12. per ton in the market. Mr. Mond does not, however, think that this process is suitable for small consumers of fuel. The total quantity of sulphate of ammonia which could, in this way, be obtained from the 150,000,000 tons of coal annually consumed in the United Kingdom would be 5,000,000 tons, so that it would suffice to treat one-tenth of our total consumption of fuel to produce the 500,000 tons of ammonia required to replace the whole of the nitrate of soda now imported into Europe. He had tried many experiments to produce hydrochloric acid in the producers, in the hope of increasing the yield of ammonia, but up to the present had only arrived at negative results. He found it very easy to produce the hydrochloric acid, but had not found that the yield of ammonia was at all increased. Two other inventions had been the outcome of these results. Looking one day at the beautiful, almost colourless flame of the Producer gas, it occurred to him that it must be very rich in hydrogen, and might be turned to a better use-in fact, that it might be possible to convert it direct into electricity by means of a gas battery. It was shown long ago by Mr. Justice Grove that two strips of platinum partly immersed in dilute sulphuric acid, one in contact with hydrogen, and the other with oxygen, produced electricity, and acting on this idea, Dr. Carl Langer had been at work under his direction, and he would now call attention to the last result of their extended labours, which they hoped would mark a great step in advance in the economical production of electricity. The distinguishing feature was that the electrolyte was not employed in a liquid, but in a quasi-solid form, and the name of Dry Gas Battery had therefore been given to it. It consisted of a number of elements which were formed of porous diaphragms of non-conducting material, in this instance plaster of Paris, impregnated with dilute sulphuric acid. Both sides of these diaphragms were covered with very fine platinum leaf, perforated with numerous small holes; over this was a thin film of platinum black, and these coatings were in contact with frameworks of lead and antimony, insulated from each other, which conducted the electricity to the poles of the battery. The diaphragm lying between the two frames was covered with an insulating mixture on the inside, the ribs of the frame being in contact with the platinum leaf, and the electricity passing through these ribs to the poles of each individual element. The leaf was the finest which could be procured, and was perforated. These elements were put together into sets, side by side, with insulating frames of pasteboard between, so as to form narrow chambers on both sides of the diaphragm, and through these chambers were passed on one side of each element a current of gas containing hydrogen, and on the other side a current of air. Such a battery of seven elements was exhibited, producing enough current to keep a small glow lamp in action. This construction enabled a very large amount of duty to be got out of a small quantity of platinum. A battery, of seven elements, with a total effective surface of half a square metre, contained only 21⁄2 grammes of leaf and seven grammes of platinum black, and it produced a current of 2 amperes and 5 volts, or 10 watts, when the outer resistance was properly adjusted; which was equal to nearly 50% of the total energy obtainable from the hydrogen absorbed in the battery. In order to maintain a constant current, it was necessary from time to time, say once an hour, to interchange the gases, so as to disturb the influence produced by the transference of sulphuric acid from one side to the other; but this could be done automatically by a commutator. The water produced in the battery by the oxidation of the hydrogen, was carried off by the inert gases mixed with the hydrogen, and by the air, of which a certain excess was employed for this purpose. This was an important point, as if the platinum black became wet it lost its power of absorbing hydrogen, and stopped the battery. To avoid this was the great difficulty in devising a powerful gas battery, and all previous constructions, which employed as the electrolyte a motile liquid, failed in consequence. The results were practically the same whether pure oxygen and hydrogen, or air, and gases containing 25 to 40% of hydrogen were used. These latter gases must be practically free from carbonic oxide and hydrocarbons, either of which would interfere very much with the absorbing power of the platinum black; and they were both present in considerable quantities in producer gas. A cheap method had, however, been found for eliminating these. The processes hitherto known for effecting this, consisted in passing a mixture of such gases and steam over lime, oxide of iron, or manganese, but some of these required a very high temperature, and were expensive, while others were not sufficiently effective. They had effected the object desired by passing the producer gases whilst still containing a considerable excess of steam, and at a temperature of from 350° to 450° C., over metallic nickel or cobalt, which metals had the property of decomposing almost completely carbonic oxide into carbon and carbonic acid, and hydrocarbons into carbon and hydrogen. In order to carry out the process with small quantities of these metals pumice stone was impregnated with a salt, which was reduced by means of hydrogen or producer gas; the pumice stone was then packed in a suitable chamber, through which the hot gases passed, the reaction producing a considerable amount of heat. This process had not been carried out on a large scale, but the laboratory experiments were so successful that he had no doubt of complete success. Having pointed out how much more economical was this dry gas battery than the production of electricity by means of a steam engine and dynamo, Mr. Mond said he hoped this kind of battery would soon enable them to perform chemical operations by electricity on the largest scale. He concluded by remarking that the saying, "necessity is the mother of invention no AGRICULTURE. PUMPHERSTON EXPERIMENTAL STATION. On Saturday the annual official visit was paid to the Highland and Agricultural Society's experimental station at Pumpherston. The weather was exceedingly fine, but the number of visitors to the station was disappointingly small. Dr. A. P. Aitken, chemist to the society, was present, and while conducting the party gave all needful explanations. The tract under experiment is wholly in grass, the seeds sown having been a mixture of the natural and some rye grasses. The station is divided into three sections. One section is set apart to determine the specific action of the various manures which have been applied upon the quantity and the quality of the hay to be cut. The second division is devoted to determining the amount of unexhausted fertility in the soil from past manurings, whilst the third section has been manured like the first, only at a later period. There are also a number of plots, incompletely manured, to which have been applied recently the manures formerly omitted. Seen from a distance the crop showed fairly well marked distinctions, but on nearer examination these were greatly intensified, the results of varying treatment of different plots being evident to the least practised eye. In regard to the first section it was found that the heaviest crop would be obtained from those plots which in past years during the rotation gave the biggest yield, viz., those to which dissolved phosphates had been applied. Nevertheless it was apparent that the promotion of growth was not so much affected by the kind of phosphate applied, but that the powerful effect of nitrogen was such as to overshadow all other manurial constituents. As between nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia, those present were of opinion that the former gave the more marked results. No great distinction could be seen in the action of the muriate as against the sulphate of potash, but the balance rather inclined towards the muriate. Interesting plots were also utilised for displaying the effects of nitrate of soda in greater or less quantities. They were each divided into three portions, and to each small section the nitrate had been applied in the proportion of one, two, and three cwts. to the acre. The most casual examination showed the weight of the crop to be altogether on the side of the heaviest manuring, but analysis will require to determine whether the quality of the grass is commensurate with the yield. A comparison of the various parts of the station demonstrated that the chief constituents for the propagation of grasses were-first, the nitrogenous manures-the more soluble the better; and next, the potassic manures; whilst the phosphatic manures were of minor importance. On one plot, which had been manured for many years with nitrate of soda alone, the chief growth was ryegrass, and it would seem as if this manure was particularly favourable to the growth of the plant. Another had, since 1878, received nothing but potash, and here clover bore a greater proportion to the ordinary grasses than on other plots. On the unmanured parts designed to give information regarding unexhausted fertility there were still discernable the traces of former manurings, although it will need careful analysis to show their value. A great deal is to be learnt at the station as to the manurial conditions of grass, and it was noticed that the improvement in the appearance of the crop compared with that of last year was wonderful. This is greatly due, no doubt, to the fact that certain grasses require two or three years to attain their full stature, while others develope more rapidly. As compared with last year the difference is most visible in the diminishing proportion of clover to rye grass. The latter, however, is now being overtaken by certain varieties of natural grasses. A small part of the ground is lying fallow for the purpose of determining with mixtures of grasses the mixture most suitable for the locality. The station, which is under the care of Mr. Todd, is in excellent order. THE STATE EXAMINATION OF CHEMISTS. An important article has lately been published by Geh. Bergrath Wedding, under the title of "The practical training of ironsmelters," in which the question of a systematic practical training of iron smelters is raised, practical training being taken to mean not only the proper work during the scientific course and in the holidays, but also the introduction to every part of the actual technical work after the close of special courses of study. "Perhaps," observes the author in his concluding remarks, "an examination by a selected number of German iron smelters, corresponding to the official law examination, after spending two years in a smelting works, would form a fitting conclusion to the course of study and be a guarantee of the value of the candidate." Geh. Bergrath Wedding is of the opinion, communicated to us by letter, that this last proposition should be extended so as to include chemists, and raises the question whether such a test by a selected number of eminent chemists would not be better than the state examination advocated by the "Chemiker-Zeitung?" We are compelled to answer this question in the negative, on the following grounds. Iron smelting, although a many-sided, is nevertheless a limited industry. The intending iron-smelter educates himself for a particular branch of work and is exclusively engaged in it, and is therefo examination at the hands of a set of specialis is in quite another position. He cannot previ of the most varied chemical industries, sugar soda manufacture, &c., he will earn his bread. therefore so far different, that, apart from the devotes his attention during his term of stud as chemical analysis, which will be required o At the close of his studies, the young chemis number of cases, has no choice as to the direct He seeks employment in technical work and t he can get, be it in the sugar industry, the al artificial manure works. If he were required engaged for some time, to undergo an examina be at the hands of men occupied with the s industry. We are the less able to percei examination by a committee of manure or so freedom to change the nature of his employ portant part in the chemists' life, and a y perhaps been engaged for two years in the soda either from his own choice or compelled by ci tar-distilling works or a soap or candle fact quently not permanently engaged in any one has reached a more advanced age, and no examinations. The preceding grounds show t be able to bring forward proof that he possesse ledge as is absolutely essential for technical necessary skill in chemical analysis, preparatio in other words, such experimental skill as will every industry. This proof will be best given training at the high-school itself. Moreover, since chemical technology is amo the high-schools, and takes a very important examinations proposed by us, the examiners wi sist entirely of theorists, as Geh. Bergrath Wed but will also include technologists. We must tion as essential, that chemical technology mus schools by actual technologists, and not, for e are only acquainted with technology by hearsa they know from books alone.-Chemiker Zeit A special despatch from Middletown, N. Y., announces that "of all combinations of prices, the United States Acid Manufacturers been the most signally successful." This associat ber of crude wood-alcohol manufacturers, and w last, to check the over-production and extreme co vailed. To quote further from the dispatch al second meeting of the association, held at H leading factories of the country being represent peculiar satisfaction, that the efforts of the prices had proved eminently successful. Si formed on April 9th, the price of crude wood-a forty-seven to fifty-seven cents per gallon, or ov is a liberal advance also in the accompanying acetate of lime and naphtha. The association v tain the existing price of fifty-seven cents per hol now on hand in the factories or warehouse sixty cents per gallon on the new product sixty days. If the facts were in accord with the statemen patch, the wood alcohol manufacturers would tions on the prospect of a speedy relief from th for so long a time oppressed them, and made unsatisfactory. In the interest of truth and o these products who may be misled by such rep it must be said that the time for extendin manufacturers has not yet arrived. Unfortuna of the United States Acid Manufacturers' Ass compared with the total number of manufactu large enough to render effective any action it to prices or other matters affecting the interest of this, the fact may be cited that when the as price of crude wood alcohol was fixed at sixtyit does not appear that this price was maintain In fact, for a month past, at least, crude wood in this market at fifty-five to fifty-seven cen being the highest price quoted. Thus, instea successful, the association has in reality made the end at which it aimed. To have succeede competition with which it had to contend, sh fication to the association, but evidently it mus His Baronetcy was conferred on him in 1885, he having previously been a Member of Parliament and High Sheriff for his county. He is one of that class of men on whom England relies to maintain her manufacturing supremacy. Not so long ago, the sound, commonsense, practical hard-working man was the boast of this country. "An ounce of practice" was said "to be worth a pound of theory," and we were prone to despise the foreigners who spent years in schools and colleges, whilst English boys were hard at work getting their living. But we have learned that there is great truth in the old adage "knowledge is power," and some of the greatest fortunes of discovery have been won by the scholarly men of science. In how many of the leading works in England have the chief positions had to be filled by highly-trained foreigners, and now we recognise that we shall be passed in the race unless the masters in all our great works are thoroughly educated in all those sciences that directly or even indirectly bear upon their occupations. In thus referring to the elevation of Sir Lothian Bell to the Presidency of the Society of Chemical Industry, we would instance him; first, as a man who has not been afraid of the interchange of knowledge, he by his example has condemned that petty, miserable selfishness that thinks secrecy the source of wealth: by means of his valuable writings and by the interchange of thought and knowledge through scientific societies, he has been a contributor to the world's wealth. And then he is an illustrious example of the great value of a thoroughly scientific and liberal education to the English manufacturers; the day of the rule-of-thumb men has gone, and gone for ever. ΑΝ THE RETIRING PRESIDENT. ND now, having shown our readers a portrait of the incoming President, it is only meet that we should say a few words of the one retiring; who, in his capacity as a member of the Council, has done more to make the Society of Chemical Industry a success than anyone connected with the movement from the commencement. It is not our intention in this place to write a history of the early days of the Society, but it will be just as well to say that its success is mainly due to four chemists; the three shall be nameless, but Mr Ludwig Mond stands at the head of them. It was his action in heading a guarantee fund that enabled the Journal of the Society to be published, even as an experiment; an experiment that has raised the subscribers of the Society from a small band of three hundred to nearly three thousand. Mr. Ludwig Mond is well known to the members of the chemical trade and especially to the readers of the Chemical Trade Journal as the inventor of a process for the recovery of sulphur from alkali waste, but he was not a maker of alkali waste, and he laboured hard and long in endeavouring to persuade the alkali manufacturers of the unwisdom of not attempting to recover the sulphur from their noisome refuse. It is satisfactory to note that however much was done by the subject of our sketch in the way of freeing the air from those gaseous abominations to which all the alkali districts were liable, his chef d'œuvre was the establishment of the ammonia-soda process in this country, which after a few years developed into the enormous factory and limited company of which Mr. Mond is the head, after having swallowed up the only firm which had then and up to now shown any rivalry. Even after it had been worked at by Solvay, in Belgium, it is doubtful whether the ammonia process could be styled a highly successful one, and it was only by dint of excessive work, intense application, thorough chemical and engineering knowledge, by which every detail could be and was thoroughly grasped, that the present firm has risen to its important position. And the contrast between men and men has been even within these few years, rendered more striking by the fact that although by this time the ordinary details of the ammonia soda process should be well known to all soda makers, yet few have attempted to emulate Mr. Mond's success, and they, like the frog in the fable, have well nigh burst themselves in the attempt. While on the one hand the firm of Brunner, Mond and Co. have more than returned the original capital to the fortunate shareholders we find other firms still in the region of experiment, wasting their substance to find a shadow. History will repeat itself, and perhaps it has been our privilege to see more of the state of knowledge of our manufacturers in the chemical and allied industries than most chemists; manufactures are like nations, vivid life and activity on the one side and ennui and decay on the other. Are these two phases now before us in the soda industry? However much we may philosophise or speculate on the uncertain, we are ever brought back face to face with realities. The success of the firm of Brunner, Mond and Co. is mainly due to the chemical skill which Mr. Mond has bestowed upon the various processes, and, on the other hand, he has left his mark upon the Society of Chemical Industry by the quiet and unassuming manner in which he has usually been able to mould its affairs for the general weal. We have often been amused at the self-complacence of many of the ornamental members of our Societies, and how they take credit to themselves for the work of others, which they know well enough they have neither the ability nor the application to do. It is our pleasure to testify that the retiring president is not of this ilk; he is always anxious to encourage the worker, to stimulate him in obtaining the best results, to aid him by all the means in his power, and it is to this trait in his character that we attribute much of the success of the Society, and above all has conduced more than anything else to make the Journal of the Society what it is, and it will be no mean task for his successors to maintain its impartial character, and keep it free from those elements which should never enter the Journal of any Society. A CHANGE IN THE NITRATE INDUSTRY. The rapid formation of English joint stock companies in the nitrate industry, as reported previously in these columns, has influenced the Chilian Government to place the mining interests under the direct supervision of the Finance Department, in order to protect the valuable industry from disreputable foreign invasion and control to the disadvantage of the Chilians. The new duties prescribed for the department having control include the compilation of a complete list of the nitrate properties, with comments as to their extent, their productive capacities, and legal status; the preservation of all titles and legal documents relating to the properties; inspection with a view to the safety of the workman; inspection of the railways and means of conveyance with a view to prevent irregularities and delays; the special study of such questions as those of freights, the consumption of nitrate of soda and iodine, in foreign markets, and the competition of other products similar to nitrate and iodine, the monthly stocks in each market in comparison with the exports, so as to afford information bearing upon the consumption and influence of nitrate in relation to home industry and the foreign trade. monthly report is to be submitted to the ministry containing the amount of nitrate made, deliveries at the port, and any other comments which the condition may call forth. A The change will have a beneficial effect on nitrate stocks by assuring investors that they will be reliably and promptly informed concerning the operations of the various companies lately organized, some of which have a tangible existence, while others, it is feared, are only on paper and will be exposed sooner or later by developments resulting from the inquiry now in progress.-Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter. |