308 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The main reactions of the sulphuric acid consist in the 

 following : — 



(a.) The free ammonia and the volatile ammonia compounds 

 are changed into non-volatile sulphate of ammonia. The 

 active ammonia is also somewhat increased at the expense 

 of the urates, etc. 



(b.) The insoluble bone phosphate is turned into a soluble 

 phosphate ; and 



(c.) The chlorides present are changed into sulphates. 



The new fertilizer, in consequence of the good care be- 

 stowed upon its manufacture, met with unusual favor. As 

 soon as the damaged articles were disposed of, genuine good 

 guanos were subjected to the same treatment. 



The changeable character of the Guanape and other kinds 

 of guanos, which at that period began to take the place of the 

 reputed Chiucha Islands guano of an earlier date, rendered 

 this proceeding still more judicious. 



The annual consumption of the soluble Peruvian guano 

 soon increased rapidly, at the expense of the raw material. 



It is a generally conceded fact, that the large annual con- 

 sumption of Peruvian guano in Germany, which amounted to 

 80,000 tons in 1870, is mainly due to the introduction of the 

 soluble article. Our home consumption is reported to be 

 from 25,000 to 30,000 tons per year, and to have, of late, 

 fallen off, rather than increased. 



There are two circumstances in particular, which render 

 advisable the substitution of the new form of the Peruvian 

 guano in place of the raw material. 



First. The chemical composition of the new fertilizer can 

 be readily brought to a uniform one, and the guarantee of a 

 definite percentage of nitrogen protected against evaporation 

 and of phosphoric acid soluble in w^ater, renders its use more 

 safe as compared with the raw genuine but changeable 

 article ; and 



Second. The superior mechanical condition of the soluble 

 or rectified guano, on account of the repeated grinding and 

 screening in course of its manufiicture, favors in an unusual 

 degree its uniform distribution throughout the soil. 



Judging from the experience of the past, it is quite safe to 

 assume that the introduction of a reliable soluble or rectified 



