The method of “ insufhation ” and evaporation referred to in the

prvceding article is simply the blowing of streams of air, not neces-

sarily heated, into a liquid warmed by some usual means to some de-
sired temperature, which may or may not be the boiling point of the
liquid. The active circulation promoted by the levity of the air-
bubbles and the extended surface which is given for the evaporation
of vapor to take place from, is supposed to greatly increase the effi-
ciency of the heating surface to dispense heat to the liquid, by in-
creasing the dzrerence of temperature of the liquid where it comes
in contact with the heated surface. The claim of saving of fuel, that
is, of effecting a greater evaporation by the same quantity of heat,
would seem to need more positive evidence before obtaining belief
than is given by assertion, for the admission involves the establish-
ment of new laws in physics, but the possibility of accelerating the pro-
cess of evaporation by the method can be readily conceived and ad-
mitted in moderate degree; certainly, however, not that the same
heating surface could be made practically efficient for “ five times the
usual results.”
The familiar process of cooling a hot drink by blowing upon it, is
the readiest example by which “evaporation by insufflation ” can be
comprehended, and although the process of &zjti,g or desiccation by
mean’s of currents of air is very generally practiced, yet the corre-
sponding performance of evaporating a liquid by the same method is
thought to be novel. In viscous liquids the application of this method
would seem to have an absolute practical value, even if the excessive
claim for merit in economy 0,f fuel were found to be unwarranted.

The Production of Potash.-The production of potash com-

mercially, has entirely changed aspect within these last twenty years.
Prior to that time wood ashes were exclusively employed in its manu-
facture, but now more than half is procured directly from mineral
sources. This is principally owing to the fact that the immense salt
mines of Stassfurt have been found to yield a profitable supply of
potash, and the knowledge of this fact has given a new impetus to
saline deposits wherever they occur,