CHEMICAL DEPAKTMENT, 3 



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Five parts of nitrate of soda contain 1 of ammonia. 



Sulphate of Ammonia. — A more concentrated nitrogenous manure than 

 the jireceding. Perfectly soluble, but not so rapid in its action as nitrate 

 of soda. It is somewhat firmly retained by the soil, and not so liable as 

 nitrate of soda to be washed out by heavy rains. It is therefore more 

 suitable than nitrate for wet districts. 



Good samples contain 95 per cent, or more of pure sulphate of ammonia, 

 equivalent to from about 24i to 25 per cent, of ammonia. 



About four parts of sulphate of ammonia contain 1 of ammonia. 



Dried Blood. — A nitrogenous manure, which differs from the above in 

 being insoluble. It must be decomposed in the soil before it yields up its 

 nitrogen to the plant, and this it does only slowly. The nitrogen is in 

 the form of albumen, and is capable of yielding from 12 to 18 per cent, of 

 ammonia. 



Horn Dust — Keronikon. — An insoluble nitrogenous manure, capable of 

 yielding 16 to 18 per cent, of ammonia. When in the form of fine sawdust, 

 it decomposes easily, and is a good nitrogenous manure even for cereals. 



Horn, when in the form of chips or coarse shavings, decomposes extremely 

 slowly, and is not suitable for application as a manure. 



Shoddy or Wool Waste. — An insoluble nitrogenous material used by 

 manure manufacturers as a source of ammonia in dissolved manures. It is 

 capable of yielding from 5 to 10 per cent, of ammonia, but is unsuitable for 

 direct ai^plication as a manure. 



Leather. — A very insoluble nitrogenous material, yielding about 9 per 

 cent, of ammonia, used by manure manufacturers after being melted and 

 ground, but of little value until it has been dissolved. 



Peruvian Guano. — A general manure formed of the excrements of 

 fish-eating birds, and containing nitrogenous compounds, phosphates, and 

 potash. 



High-class Peruvian guano is rich in nitrogenous matter, a large propor- 

 tion of which is soluble. As formerly imported, it was capable of yielding 

 from 8 to 12 per cent, ammonia, part of which was derived from ammonia 

 .salts, and part (less than 1 per cent.) from nitrates. Phosphates were low, 

 seldom exceeding 30 per cent, but from one-quarter to one-half of the 

 phosphates were soluble. The amount of potash was usually from 3 to 5 

 per cent. Not now imported. 



Loio-class Peruvian guano, as now imported, is poor in nitrogenous matter, 

 yielding only from 3 to 5 per cent, ammonia. The phosphates are corre- 

 spondingly high, viz., from 30 to 50 per cent, but the proportion of soluble 

 phosphate is much smaller than in high-class Peruvian guano. Potash 

 occurs to a very small extent, viz., about 1 to 3 per cent. 



Low-class guanos are formed originally from high-class guanos, by the 

 washing out of soluble constituents by rain, &c., and their composition 

 varies greatly according to the amount of washing they have undergone. 



Genuine Peruvian guano frequently contains a large proportion of stony 

 insoluble matter. 



Standard Peruvian Guano, — also called by various names, such as 

 improved, equalised, fortified,— such guanos are mixtures, with low-class 

 Peruvian guano for a basis. Sulphate of ammonia is added, and perhaps 

 also other nitrogenous matter, to bring them up to the guaranteed analysis, 

 say from 8 to 10 per cent, ammonia. 



Dissolved Peruvian Guano. — This is usually Peruvian guano dis- 

 solved in sulphuric acid, and fortified with sulphate of ammonia so as to 

 make a strong, active manure. 



Ichaboe Guano. — A true guano, but of recent formation. It is very 

 rich in nitrogenous matter, which yields from 10 to 16 per cent, of am- 



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