Potassium chlorid 26.8 “ “
Magnesium “ 34.2 “ “
Water 39.0 “ “
The commercial article as taken from the mines, as is seen above, has
less potash (K₂O) than kainit, the mean content being about nine and
nine-tenths per cent. Those proposing to use this body for fertilizing
purposes should bear in mind that it contains less potash and more
chlorin than kainit.
Carnallit occurs in characteristic brown-red masses. On account of its
highly hygroscopic nature it should be kept as much as possible out
of contact with moist air and should not be ground until immediately
before using.
By reason of the greater bulk in proportion to its content of potash
and its hygroscopic nature and consequent increased difficulty in
handling, the price per unit of potash in carnallit is less than in
kainit.
In some localities small quantities of ammonium chlorid have been found
with carnallit but not to exceed one-tenth per cent. It has therefore
no practical significance to the farmer but may be of interest to the
analyst.
=239. Polyhalit.=—Polyhalit is a mineral occurring in Stassfurt
deposits and consisting of a mixture of potassium, magnesium, and
calcium sulfates, with a small proportion of crystal water. This
mineral, on account of its being practically free of chlorin, would
be one especially desirable for use in those cases, as in the culture
of tobacco, where chlorids are injurious. Unfortunately, it does not
occur in sufficient quantities to warrant the expectation of its
ever being found in masses large enough to become a general article
of commerce. It is found only in pockets or seams among the other
Stassfurt deposits, and there is no assurance given on finding one of
these deposits of polyhalit that it will extend to any great distance.
The composition of the mineral is shown by the following formula:
K₂SO₄·MgSO₄·(CaSO₄)₂·H₂O. Its percentage composition is shown by the
following numbers:
Potassium sulfate 28.90 per cent.
Magnesium sulfate 19.93 “ “
Calcium sulfate 45.18 “ “
Water 5.99 “ “
The percentage of potash corresponding to the above formula is 15.62.
It therefore contains a considerable excess of potash over kainit, and
on account of its freedom from chlorids, would be preferred for many
purposes.
=240. Krugit.=—This mineral occurs associated with polyhalit and
differs from it only in containing four molecules of calcium sulfate
instead of two. Its formula is: K₂SO₄·MgSO₄·(CaSO₄)₄·H₂O. As it comes
from the mines it is frequently mixed with a little common salt. Its
mean percentage composition as it comes from the mines is given in the
following numbers:
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