FULLERS’ EARTH.
Fullers' earth is a clay-like material which has the property
of deodorizing and clarifying fats, oils, and greases.
There is none produced in Canada.
PREPARATION.
Regarding the preparation of fullers’ earth, F. B. Van Horn
says; 1 “The fullers’ earth in Florida is usually mined by pick
and shovel, and hauled to the mill, where the earth is broken
up into small lumps and put through rotary driers. It is then
taken by elevator to the crushers and ground and bolted into
several grades, 120 mesh being the finest. The material is
then ready for shipment.”
USES.
Fullers’ earth is used in the meat packing industry to clarify
lard. The earth is usually ground to 120 mesh and is generally
of English origin.
In the refining of petroleum a considerable quantity is
used. For this purpose the earth is not ground so fine.
Small quantities are used to remove grease from woollen
goods.
PRICES.
The price of fullers’ earth laid down at the points of con
sumption varies from $14 to $17.
Amount of fullers’ earth used in the manufacturing in
dustries, as reported by the consumers:—
Location
No. of firms
reporting
consumption
Domestic
Imported
Tons
Tons
2
2
3
160
13
7S6H
103M
35
7
1
Canada (Total)
26
—
1057
The following imports are reported by the Department
of Customs:—
1910-1911 1911-1912 1912-1913
Fullers’ earth, fn bulk only $5,012 $7,324 $14,150
44 Fullers’ Earth,” page 733, Mineral Resources of the United States, Part II, 1907.