Imported potassium salts are obtained from materials which require only simple and cheap methods of treatment. Because of the complex nature of salt bitterns, more costly methods of extraction are required. It is unlikely that any of the methods of treatment which were investigated would produce potassium salts at sufficiently low costs to compete with overseas prices. By solar evaporation of the bittern a potassium-enriched salt was obtained, from which a saleable product could probably be produced. This method of recovering the potassium might be economic if a suitable market were found for large quantities of magnesium salts. There does not appear to be a ready market for magnesium salts at the present time.