TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

BULLETIN NO. 

BIAY. 1895. w/zf '7 4. 

L/‘Ilr/ i" '9: l '  sit‘ U‘ r

EEfiKE/JY, - - .. 1441;,

MISCELLANEOUS ANALYSES.

POSTOFFICE:

("JOLLEGE STIYPION, BRAZOS (.10., TEXAS.

AlPRoporta from this Station are sent free to farmers of the Same on application to»
J. H. OONNELL, Dnzmcron, P. O. College Station, Texas.

 

AU ST I N:
BEN C. JONES 8: CO., STATE PRINTERS.
xssm [s93]

TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

OFFICERS.

GOVERYINYY BOARD.

IMIAIII) U1" I)I]1I~'.U'YUI{S .\. k )1. (.'()LI.I§(}IC.

I\I.\.I. .\. .1. 1b vslc. 1’1-0si1Ient....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Austin.

111m‘. W. 1i. <'.\\'1'r'r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Bryan.

110x. .1.\'<>. .\|>1u.\.\'<‘1-: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Columbia.

llnx. (,1, W. IiLHYAIAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . ..P1an0.

11<>.\'..1<>|1x11.1.<>xu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..\. . . . .   .Rusk.

'l‘l{I-I.'\SI‘III~IlI.

1’1n-:s1|»1c.\"l‘ 1.. h‘.   ...........(;‘.o11ege Station.

sTATiux siuwia

.1. 11. <‘<>.\'.\'1~:|.1.. M. H1‘ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Di1'ect0r.

11. 11. 11.\1:1:1x<:'r<>.\'. .\1. $13.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Chemist.

M. I<‘|:.»\.\'<'1.<. l). Y. )1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Veteri11a1'ian.

R. 11. Paulie. 1!. s‘ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . liorticuiturist.

1). .\|>1:|.\.\'<'|-:. .\1. H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...\10te01-o10_g'ist. Associate Chemist.

P. S. 'l‘u..~?<>.\'. .\1. h‘. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant in Chemistry.

.1.\.<. (‘|..\\"rux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ukgriculturist.

.1. \\'. 1‘.\1:~'H.\'. 11. 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant t0 Director.

.\. )1. .\‘<>1‘l.l£. 11. S. A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Agrieultllrist.

SI'I§-5'I‘.\'1‘IU_\' SI.'I‘I-IRIN'I‘IC.\'IPICNTS.

.1. 11. l~‘iquurso.\' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...\1cKinney. (jfollin Co.
h‘. .\. AII-lhcxm" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Beevi11e. Bee Co.

[5:14]

TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

MISCELLANEOUS ANALYSES.

DUNCAN ADRIANCE, P. S. TILSON, AND H. H. lI.»\RI{IN(I'l‘ON.

The work here presented is a part 0f that which accumulates from time
to time from analyses made for the general public. Much 0f it has been
done free 0f cost, a11d most of the remainder at a mere nominal price.
Some 0f it will be of interest to the public, while other parts will have a
local significance only.

' MINERAL WATERS.

Texas affords a very large number of these, and 0f almost every pos-
sible variety. Only a part 0f them have been developed or improved,
and many are not accessible as summer or health resorts. But the few
that are have a very liberal patronage. and especially from residents of
the State. Wooten Wells, Mineral Wells, Manganic lVells, Lampasas
Springs, and others, have a reputation even beyond the State. But
there are many other Waters in the State equal or superior in variety and
abundance of mineral material to those mentioned above. Farmers and
land owners Who happen to control a mineral well or spring which is be-
lieved to carry great medicinal value, must bear in mind that judicious
advertising, comfortable and luxurious surroundings, are factors in the
healing properties of waters, as important as the character of the water
itself. It is entirely unnecessary to send a water here for chemical analy-
sis, unless one expects to expend a suflicient amount of capital and time
on the water to invite and justify attendance in at least full proportion
to the real value of the Water. The locality should of course be easily
accessible by rail to the public. The water may, indeed, be supplied by
express to the various parts of the State. But such a demand is made,
usually, only after the reputation of the water has been otherwise estab-
lished. Aside from this, many waters lose a part of their medicinal
value if shipped any distance. Any gas held in solution is either lost in
part, or entirely; and in iron waters this constituent undergoes another
form and is precipitated.

Mineral waters can not be easily duplicated by artificial means. It is
an easy matter to find certain popularly known waters bottled and for
sale in almost any drug store. But their compounding is 11ot so skill-
fully done as when made in the earth’s laboratory.

[595]

 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

It would be impossible, as well as unnecessary, to give in a specific way
the effect on the system 0f each ingredient of the waters submitted to
analysis.

A common classification is: (1) Carbonated Waters, (2) Sulfur Waters,
(:3) and Saline Waters. The first class include those in which there is an
excess of carbonic acid gas. The mineral ingredients are likely to include
the carbonate of lime, magnesium, and iron, together with the presence
of other substances in small quantities.

Sulfur waters are easily distinguished by their characteristic odor of
sulfurctcil hydrogen; their ordinary mineral composition having no in-
fiucnce on their common name.

Saline waters are characterized more especially by the chlorides of
sodium, calcium, and magnesium. If the ferrous salts of iron are present,
the water is usually termed chalybeate. Alkaline Waters are very common
in Texas. The alkalinity is due to the presence of the carbonate or
bicarbonate of sodium; but this is nearly always accompanied with sodium
chloride and sodium sulfate.

'l‘able I gives analyses of mineral waters only; while following it, in
'l‘a.blc II, are statements of several analyses made for some other specific
purpose.

MISCELLANEOUS ANALYSES.

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'4

598 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

The water from Marlin is from the deepest well in the State-about
.3300 feet. It has a temperature of 142° Fahrenheit-also the warmest
natural water in the State. It is remarkable for its large quantity of
sodium sulfate (Glaubers salts). But the Milford springs contain an
even larger amount 0f the sodium sulfate-larger than found in any
other known water. The artesian water from‘ Belton is marked by a
large percentage of the same ingredient.

Inquiry has been made as to the use of the Waxahachie artesian water
for irrigation and in boilers. It would not be suitable for the latter, but
could be used for irrigating‘; especially if g 'psum were occasionally ap-
plied to the soil to neutralize effects of sodium carbonate. Information
was also wanted as to value of the water from “near Velasco ” for irri-
gating. While not well adapted to that purpose, it could be used on
eertain plants. , The grasses, alfalfa, and sorghum would probably do
well under its use.

In general, the harmful ingredients in natural waters intended for, irri-
gation, are the carbonate and the chloride of sodium. If one or both of
these are present in large iluantity, great care should be taken in use of
the water. The carbonate can be removed usually with gypsum applied
as a fei-tilizer The chloride can be removed by growing special crops to
extract it, or by flooding the field with a large amount of water, and in
this way washing out the salt. In many parts of the State, where the
rainfall is excessive in the winter and spring‘, but deficient in the sum-
mer, a water carrying a comparatively large amount of sodium chloride
can be used in the summer drouth, since it is washed or leached out by
the winter rains.

The water from Rockwood is very remarkable for its large amount of
sodium chloride. It is at present being used for the manufacture of salt,
of which there are nearly 9 ounces in every gallon. Sea Water contains
only about 1700 grains of salt to the gallon. While the waters of the
Dead Sea contain about 6700 grains. This water was tested for bromine
and iodine, but neither was detected.

In the Corsicana well oil was first struck at a depth of 1040 feet. The
well was continued, and at a depth of 2400 feet water was found with a
fiow of 300,000 gallons a day, with a temperature of 120° Fahrenheit,
and an initial pressure of about 56 pounds.

The water from Hockley, in Table II, was sent to be examined for its
fitness in making a canaigre extract. It was tested carefully for iron,
but none found. It is low in mineral matter, and well suited for the
purpose intended.

The water from Lysle Springs is used to irrigate about 3000' acres of
land, and has been in use about twenty years. The flow is reported to
be about 7000 to 8000 cubic feet per minute. It is well adapted to the
purpose for which it is used, except that the amount of sodium chloride
is rather large.

The water from Sugar Land is used in a sugar refinery, and was tested
particularly for chlorides; since the presence of these is known to hinder-
sugar from eiystalizing. For this reason potassium chloride is not used
as a fertilizer on sugar beets or sugar cane.

The water from Angleton was examined to test its value for railway‘

locomotive boilers, for which it is well adapted.
The water from Brenham was analyzed to test its value as a drinking

MISCELLANEOUS ANALYSES. 

~_

water (results 0f this not given i11 table), as a water for boilers and for
irrigation. It is silitable for all these purposes.

In general, the purer a water from mineral matter, the safer it is for
putting 0n cultivated land. This ceases to be true, 0f course, when only
certain mineral constituents are present. But in Texas, at least, there is
generally so much 0f the chloride 0r carbonate of soda present in spring
and artesian water, as well as in some of the rivers, that we gladly turn
t0 a pure water even for irrigation. This statement applies only to the
mineral ingredients; whatever nitrogenous or organic material is present
must be considered as a gain to the soil.

SOILS.

A farmer’s judgment and experience with a soil is perhaps worth more
to tl1e chemist in summing‘ up the results of his analysis, than the chem-
ist’s_ unaided conclusions would be to the farmer. The appearance of a
soil on the field, its color, texture, character of native gr-owth, water-
holding power, all taken together, go very far tmvard deciding the char-
acter of a soil, even before a crop is ever grown upon it, or before it is
subjected to chemical analysis. Still, even a life-long farmer will some-
times be deceived i11 a soil. A soil that looks fertile to the eye, with ap-
parently a good texture, will sometimes prove a great disappointment in
practical work. In such cases a chemical analysis may prove beneficial.
Again, one may have a poor soil-recognized as such-—and the quickest
and most economical means at command wanted to improve the soil to a
greater or less extent. In such a case, the chemist and the farmer, aid-
i11g each other, can be of mutual benefit in the work. Lime, phosphoric
acid, potash, and humus or organic matter are the most valuable con-
stituents of a soil. The humus carries the nitrogen, besides greatly in-
creasing the power of a soil to hold water, and thus resist drouth. Iron
oxide perhaps ranks next to lime in importance in the soil; but very little
of it is sutficient. But in many cases a farmer is inclined to attribute the
cause of plant diseases to a poisonous principle in the soil, when the
trouble does not really exist there, but is due to a fungus growth of some
kind. Excluding “alkali soils,” there is hardly anything in a soil in-
sufficient quantity at any time to act as a poison to plant life, if we ex-
cept iron in the unoxidized condition and the metallic sulfides-a condi-
tion that could only exist in the subsoil, and that would soon disappear on-
exposure to air. A

In table III, samples 1, 2, and 3 from Alvin, sent by Mr. H. Sampson,
were supposed to contain some poisonous ingredients that caused the ex-
tremities of fruit trees (pears mainly) to die, and the tree, of course, to

stop growing. No. 1 is surface soil, No. 2 is taken two feet below the

surface, and No. 3 from three feet below the surface.

600 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

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MISCELLANEOUS ANALYSES. ($01

Nos. 1 and 2 hada very slight acid reaction, just as a fertile soil should
have, and N0. 3 was decidedly acid. There were no unoxidized salts of
iron in any 0f the samples. The lime is not excessive in the top soil,
rather more in sample No. 2, and greatly increased in sample No.  The
sulfuric acid, which might be derived from the presence 0f sulfides, is
very low. Sodium is present in large amount, but not as the carbonate.

An extract from a letter sent Mr. Sampson in September, 1894, is as
follows: “ The lime increases rapidly as you go below the surface; and
it may be that it is this which gives you the trouble. But I am inclined
to believe that the difliculty exists in the mechanical or drainage condi-
tion of your soil, rather than in its chemical composition; if we assume
that the trouble is really with the soil, and not caused by a fungus
growth of some kind. But I lean to the opinion that such a growth will
be found on the roots of the trees.”

The following is an extract from Mr. Sampson’s letter transmitting" the
soils. Referring to the trees, he says: “Some turn yellow in the nursery’
now; others will take root and make a growth of 6 to l2 inches after
being transplanted, and the leaves then turn yellow, while the twigs turn
black at the ends and continue to die down.” “ I have trees that made
a growth of 7 feet during the year 1893, that were cut back in June,
1894, and made a growth of 3 to 5 feet before commencing to yellow
up.” In a letter of April 19, Mr. Sampson says: “ There is no change
in the condition of my orchard from what it was last summer, except,
perhaps, the trees are yellowing up earlier.” *‘ * * “ The stem or
roots never die, it is only the new growth.” Mr. Sampson now believes
the cause of his trouble is “ hard pan.”

From Lamarque are samples of Black and IVhite “Alkali,’ partial
analyses only of which are made. The alkalinity in both cases due to
carbonates of soda. 'I.‘his could be most easily reclaimed by application
of gypsum. The samples f1'o1nHitchcocl: were sent by R. T. Wheeler,
Esq., from his pear orchard and strawberry ground.

Samples 1 and 2 are respectively the surface and subsoil of a type lo-
cally known as “ black waxy;” while Nos. 3 and 4 are the surface and
subsoil of a type locally known as “sandy loam.” These names will
justify themselves when we glance at the percentage of sand and silica in
the several samples, or when we notice the amount of organic and vola-
tile matter. The amount of clay in the “ black waxy” is shown by the
content of alumina to be greater than that in the sandy loam.

The soil from El Paso was selected from a field intended for the growth
of fruit trees.

I

CLAYS.

The examination of these was made for a company that expected to
extract the metal aluminum from clay. Complete analyses were made in
only a few cases; since the alumina and lime were the two principal in-
gredients wanted, other substances except lime not interfering. As much
alumina and as little lime as possible was the object desired.

Clay is a hydrated silicate of aluminum; it usually, if not always,
contains besides this, small quantities of iron, lime, magnesia, and the
alkalies. But the smaller the amount of these impurities the better the
clay. The proportion of silica to the alumina varies through very wide

602 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

limits. The purer varieties are perfectly white, and are then known usu-
ally as kaolin, the finer qualities 0f which are used in the manufacture
of line porcelain ware.

Table of Clay Analyses.

 
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
 
  

       
 

d
o
.5
. ' - n-i
Lotality. g o .
a ré ‘a’ é’
<4 O DJ U)

ln-uky ........................................................................................... .. 3T.
San Ilia-go ............................................................................ .. 16.
llrl-lnonrl ............................................................................... .. 21
l"lnlo1il:l..\'o. l.. ................................................................... .. 17.’. 2. T9
Flnlonia, No. 7.’. ....................................................... .. 9. 2.17 ..
Flnloniat, No.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 15. 3.07..
San Antonio. No. I .............................................................. .. 16.. 2.83 ..
San Antonio. No. 2  ..................................................... .. 19.. 2.9-1 ..
lfiluin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 25.‘ 3. 2 ..
llurango, Nlvxicl) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 14.2 1.54
lmuxllv. from Arkauiszis  .................................................. .. 67. 68 None.
Smipstonl: ............................................................................ .. 10 2. 40 ..
Saint-hes, No. 72..  ........................................... .. 17.84 7.12
Hzmvlnrs. No. 3.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. T. 70 2.76
Nnnvlivs. No. -| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1h’. 01 5. 27
(‘m-ro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 19. 50 6.50
lfillnvndorl‘ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 12. 21 6.19
(‘zilnvl-rns ....................................................... ..' ....................... .. 7. 06 2110i

l

The Flatonia clay has attracted considerable attention, and it was ex-
pected that an analysis would justify its reputation. But such is not the
case. Several samples were examined, and finally a complete analysis
was made, which is here presented:

Percent.
Moisture...........................  . . . . . .  . . . . .  8.50
Silieaauil  72.22
 11.16

SOL11IIIHOX1L1C........ . . . . . . . . .  0.85
Potassiumoxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..  0.9
Clarhonicacidgas.....................................  0.75
lronoxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.08

The alkalies, lime and iron are too great to make the clay valuable as
fire clay. Mixed with other material it might be used for porcelain ware.

MARLS.

The term Marl is generally applied to calcareous material, with or
without comminuted shells (“shelly marl”), that contains besides its
principle constituent of lime carbonate, some phosphoric acid and potash.
They are generally of little value except for farms in their immediate
vicinity. Their mechanical elTect on the soil is usually more important
than their chemical effect. In Texas they would be found valuable on
many of the coast clays, and the sandy uplands in the eastern part of the
State. Lands in other parts of the State would probably derive little or
no benefit from their use. In several counties of East Texas, the so-called
Green Sand Marl is found in large beds. But so far as samples sent to

MISCELLANEOUS ANALYSES. 603

this laboratory indicate it is of inferior quality, as compared to that of
New Jersey. Still, it might be used locally to great advantage.

In the table below, N0. 1 is a marl from Palestine, N0. 2 from Pitts-
burg, and No. 3 from Rusk.

No.1 No.2 No.3
Calcium carbonate . . . . . . . . . ._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.2 'l‘race .. . . .
Phosphoric acid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.3 0.15 0.58
Potash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.0 0 .09 l .00
Sand and silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.00

Nos. 2 and 3 are green sand marls.

LIMESTONE

From Cline, Texas. Sent on by Mr. W. E. Giesecke, of the Litho-Car-
bo11 Rubber Company, to see if it could be used as a cement; and if not,
what would be necessary to add to it for this purpose. The stone as sent
was in broken nodules, which were coated on outside with carbonaceous
matter. Sonic pieces seemed to contain much more of the carbonaceous
material than was found in other samples. But a considerable quantity
was taken for sampling, and it is thought an average quality (rhtziincil.

ANALYSIS.
Percent
Volatile and organic matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.98

Sand and silica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.30

Ferric oxide of iron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l .23

Oxide of alumina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.07

Calcium carbonate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 90.37

The limestone had been subjected to distillation in order to separate
the “lithe-carbon.” Obviously it is not suitable for the purpose in-
tended, unless mixed with a clay to furnish the necessary proportional
parts of silica and alumina.

IRON ORE.’

From Clarksville.—One sample of little value, compared to other rich
and purer ores in the State. Contains 45 per cent of the oxide of iron,
0.054 per cent of sulfur, and 0.183 per cent of phosphorous.

BAT GUANO, AND BAT GUANO ASH.

Considerable quantities of Bat Guano and the Ash are to be found in
caves in certain localities of West Texas. lVhen free of earthy material,
it is a most excellent fertilizer, containing nitrogen, phosphoric acid and
potash in a soluble and very desirable form. But it should never be
purchased by the farmer in any quantity, without having the very sam-
ple which he buys subjected to a chemical analysis. It is the only sure
way he has to protect himself. Nos. 1 and 3 are samples of guano ash;
Nos. 2 and 5, samples of guano from different localities. No. 4 is a mix-
ture of ash and guano. ‘

604 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

ANALYSIS.
No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. No. 4. N0. 5.
Nloisture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 12.63 14.91 23.39 13.41

l’hosplio1'i<: acid. total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 23.85 3.68 16.70 7.22 4.8-1

Phosphoric (acid. soluble . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0.46 0.14 0.30

l’hospl1o1'i<~ acid citrate. soluble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.23 4.94 3.15

Phosphoric acid citrate. insoluble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5.00 2.14 1.39

(‘alcium oxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 33.50 ‘  . . 22.73 . . . . . . . . ..

hlzlgurasium oxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.69 . . . . . . . . ..

Potassium: oxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0.90 2.03 0.64 0.96 

'l‘otal nitxwig-"eii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11.91 ... . . 1.66 10.04

CAC’ ‘US AND ‘FRUIT.

Stnne years ago analysis was made in this laboratory’ 0f the ordinary
cactus, commonly known as prickly pear. It is sometimes used to a
great extent on the western ranches for cattle feed. Last year analysis
was made of the fruit of this cactus. The samples analyzed were sent
by Mr. l). Flint, of Arcadia, Texas, who has this to say in regard to the
same: ‘* The cactus produces large crops of fruit, and I l1ave always be-
lievetl it to be of value. It is a fact that horses, cattle, deer, and hogs
eat the fruit, and deer and hogs do well on it.” For the sake of com-

parison the analysis of cactus is given again. No. 1 cactus, No. 2 the

fruit in fresh state, No. 3 fruit dried free of water.
' No.1. No. 2. N0. 3.

Moisture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . .. 88.85 80.30 

l)ry matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11.15 19.70 100.00

Ash (mineral matter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.94 1.76 8.91

Ether extract (fats and oils) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.39 2.77 14.01

(Jellulose (woody fiber) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.26 5.28 26.82

Albuminoids (nitrogenous substances) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.16 2.58 12.73

Nitrogen free extract (starch. sugar. gums. etc.) . . . . . .. 6.39 6.97 37.53

NATURAL GAS.

At many places in the Brazos bottom where artesian wells are sunk,
gas either issues first or along with water. The gas is sometimes sufli-

cient to burn with a strong steady flame. At Hearne, Texas, on the farm .

of Mr. H. R. Hearne, gas occurs in sufficient quantity for light and fuel,
and is being used in the residence of Mr. Hearne for this purpose. A
sample was sent here for chemical analysis and as examined found to have
the following composition: '

Percent.
(“arbonic aicid gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . .  0.21

(‘arbon monoxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ... 0.75

Oxygen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0.42

Ethylene . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  0.50

Harsh gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 31.50

Hydrogen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   . . . . . . .. 23.30

Nitrogen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 40.15

The sample was sent in a rubber bag, and it was several (lays before an
analysis could be made. Its composition leads to the belief that the gas
ditftlsetl through the bag with the atmosphere, losing marsh gas for nitro-
gen. If so, it is really a better gas than the analysis would indicate.
Mr. Ilearne reports most satisfactory results in the practical use of the
gas.

MISCELLANEOUS ANALYSES. 605

CRUDE PETROLEUM.

At Corsicana, in sinking an artesian well, at a depth of 1040 feet pe-
troleum oil was obtained; this oil was examined and its analysis shown
below. Not satisfied with the volume of oil, and boring primarily for
water, the well was continued, and at a depth of 2400 feet a fine flow of
water was obtained, an analysis of which will be found under the head
of “ Water Analyses." this Bulletin. Mr. H. G. Johnston, who was the
engineer charged with sinking the well, reports as follows: “ 'l‘he for-
mation in which the oil is found is a sandy shale about 20 feet thick,
located in the Blue Ponderosa lVIarl.” The “ marl" is reported as ex-
tending to a depth of 500 feet below the shale. Petroleum has been
found in many places in the State; notably at Naeodoehes and at Brown-
wood. But at both places the oil is of the heavy variety, suitable only
for lubricating oil. But this appears to be a most excellent. oil of the
lighter type; furnishing the following‘ separate ilistillates: One-half litre
(or about one pint) was subjected to distillation and the folloxving‘ frac-
tions obtained at the respective temperatures expressed in degrees of the,
centigrade scale: ‘

Began to boil at 8O degrees.

Between 80° and 90° gave off 16.4 per cent of its volume.

Between 90° and 110° gave off 7.8 per cent of its volume.

Between 110° and 140° gave off 10.4 per cent of its volume.

Between 140° and 170° gave off 9.2 per cent of its volume.

Between 170° and 200° gave off 3.6 per cent of its volume.

Between 200° and 280° gave off 16.0 per cent of its volume.

Between 280° and 305° gave off 11.2 per cent of its volume.

Above 305° gave off 15.8 per cent of its volume.

Making the total volatile matter about 00 per cent, leaving acoke resi-
due of about 10 per cent. Reported in a different way for the purpose
of comparison, results are obtained as shown in the table below:

 

  
 
 

. . I :_. ¢ ,-
1 E’  l g l é l
i  = l g l  ~
; s. 2 1 . l a l e
Crude oil frorn- l 90' .9 l 2 . l‘ F _ i i
l  s l ‘w 1 w =
. e- r3 l ‘Us l g; l =..
8:. if 5- l $5 l i
i?" :0 l i3" l ca" i o
l, ° ' Per et.lPer ('L.lPQI‘ et.
Texas-Corsican.» ...........................  ........................... ..l .8711 so ‘H 6 l 40 l 15.x
Pennsylvania .................................................................. .. l .818 $42 l :31 l 3H l 40. 7
Galicia .............. ..  ......... ..  l .824 {l0 > Q0. 5 4T ‘ 20. 5
Baku..." .859 91 l 23 l 3s l an
Alsace .. .907 13.1 3 l 50 i 47
Hanover ........... .. .899 110 l ..........  s2  6s

It will be seen from this that the oil compares very favorably with
Pennsylvania oil, which generally yields in practice from 60 to 75 per
cent of burning oil of first and second quality.

The above figures, except for the Texas oil, are taken from Sadtler’s
Industrial Organic Chemistry, page 18.