GRADES OF FISH REFUSE. 313 



enterprise from a general commercial stand-point, we can but 

 deplore, in the interest of the development of our agricultural 

 industry, the exportation of one of our most valuable home 

 resources of nitrogenous-phosphatic fertilizers, as long as we 

 import Peruvian guano, Chili saltpetre and rock phosphates, 

 at comparatively much higher rates for agricultural purposes.* 



Recognizing the serious consequences of this tendency in 

 our fertilizer trade, it seems but proper for agriculturists to 

 inquire into the cause or causes which threaten to deprive us 

 of a valuable and cheap home fertilizing material like tish. 



As a short discussion of the present condition of the fish 

 fertilizers at home and abroad may aid in rendering more 

 prominent the agricultural interests involved in the manufact- 

 ure of a good fish guano, I propose to present subsequently 

 a few statements bearing upon that question. 



The fish refuse enters our market in three different condi- 

 tions : first, as crude stock, with about 50 to 55 per cent, of 

 moisture, which during late years has sold at the works from 

 $9 to $12 per ton ; second, as fish scraps in a partly dried 

 state, varying in moisture from 20 to 40 per cent., selling 

 from $15 to $18 per ton ; and third, as fish guano, containing 

 from 8 to 20 per cent, of moisture, selling from $35 to $40 

 per ton. 



For illustrations regarding these figures, I refer to my first 

 official report, — of 1873-4. I stated on that occasion that 

 the line of distinction between fish scraps and fish guano iS 

 not unfrequently too loosely drawn to prove equally accepta- 

 ble to dealers and consumers. 



The unusual variations in moisture, and the generally infe- 

 rior mechanical conditions of our fish guano, are no doubt 

 some of the main objectionable features which have prevented 

 thus far a more extensive call for our fish refuse as an inde- 

 pendent fertilizer, and compelled dealers, it appears, to look 

 for foreign markets. 



My attention during the past season has been directed 

 mainly to the condition of the fish guano ; for fresh fish scraps, 



♦■ Counting the niti-ogen (5 per cent.) at 20 cents per pound, it alone would be worth 

 to us $20 per ton of fish refuse. The latter also contains from 4 to 5 per cent, of 

 valuable phosphoric acid, thus giving it an additional value of from $ft to $5 per 

 ton, at present rates. 



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