44 



THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



ammonia, or ammoniacal salts. While the average quali- 

 tative analysis of the Peruvian guano supplies no sulphate 

 of lime, the sample analj'zed contained no less than 40 per 

 cent, of that substance, it being to be observed that no 

 guano hitherto examined had yet furnished gypsum, on 

 which account Mr. Casaseca considered himself authorized 

 in terming it a calcareous stone. 



" But Mr. Caaaseca was notwithatanding of opinion that 

 this substance was to be considered as a mineral manure of 

 great utility, ou account of the large quantity of gypsum it 

 contained, and to a high degree valuable in particular descrip- 

 tions of cultivation, no less than on account of the remarkable 

 proportion it contained of phosphate of lime, one of the best 

 mineral manures known. He was of opinion, therefore, as we 

 have already stated, that the subject was a matter calling for 

 thorough investigation ; and this accordingly is the object with 

 which the commission appointed has set out on its voyage, ac- 

 companied by the before-mentioned Captain Green, sent by the 

 firm of Tyng and Company. 



" The commission left Batabano on the 6th ; on the 7th the 

 steamer arrived, conveying it nearly as far as the extremity of 

 the Rosario Channel, and anchoring near the Cantiles Cayo. 

 This cayo was examined, and an abundance of white guano, 

 similar to that sold in the United States as Mexican guano, 

 was found upon it. Oa the 8th the Rosario Cayo was ex- 

 amined, and on the 9th the Passages Cayo, upon which was 

 found guano equal to that of the Cautiles. On the lOlh, after 

 going in the direction of the Largo Cayo, their explorations 

 were continued with various results, but they had found on 

 gome islets in sight of the said cayo an immense number of 

 birds, and a considerable quantity of guano. 



" Ou the 11th, directing their course along the south of the 

 Largo reef and cayo towards the Ballenatos Cayos, they found 

 upon the larger oue to the east some guano of superior quality. 

 On the 12th, at daybreak, the steamer went in a direction 

 E.by S. of the Largo Cayo, and visited some cayos which they 

 had not examined on the 10 th, meeting with a dark-coloured 

 guano, and upon oue of them so immense an assemblage of 

 birds that the very ' sun was darkened by them ;' the soil of 

 this cayo was covered with eggs, it being calculated there were 

 as many as a dozen to every square yard. The guano appeared 

 to be abundant, and of excellent quality. The steamer after- 

 wards sailed to Trinidad, from which place the commission was 

 about to leave for the cayos of Doce Leguas, and to continue 



their explorations as far as the Cruz Cayo, also reserving for 

 examination the cayos situated between the Rosario Channel 

 and the Isle of Pinos. 



" But, before resuming their labours, the commission 

 took care to remit to his Excellency the Governor and 

 Captain-General six cases of samples of the qualities of 

 guano, to all appearance distinct, which it had met with at 

 different spots. Some at least of these samples, which we 

 have had the pleasure of inspecting, must differ considerably 

 from that previously analyzed by Mr. Casaseca ; for, if we 

 are not mistaken, it cannot be doubted that they exhale 

 ammonia in abundance, and that, consequently, that essen- 

 tial point of distinction between it and the guano of Peru 

 no longer exists. 



" The samples have now been since Tuesday last in the 

 hands of Mr. Casaseca, with the view of his making new 

 analyses of the same, so that the definitive results by which 

 we are to abide cannot be long in being made known. Be 

 these what they niaj', it is our firm conviction that they 

 cannot foil to prove of great importance, as well to the 

 general prosperity of the island as to the interests of the 

 national treasury. For if, as we consider in every way im- 

 probable, the guano from the new deposits, whence the 

 samples collected by the commission have been taken, 

 should not be found to be immensely more rich than the 

 former in fertilizing power, the information we have re- 

 ceived of the avidity with which the guano most resem- 

 bling that first analyzed is received on the neighbouring 

 continent, would already assure us of its recognized utility 

 and value for exportation, when once authorized, as it has 

 accordingly since been, by the decree of his Excellency the 

 Governor-Superintendent, of the 12th inst. The liberal 

 terms of this decree deserve our warmest acknowledgments 

 as much on account of the just discretion exercised in the 

 total avoidaiice of any grant of monopoly, as on account o 

 the zealous desire shown on behalf of the agricultural inter- 

 ests of this island. 



" Such, then, are the facts and observations which we 

 proposed to enregister. That our agriculturists should not 

 show themselves indifferent to the benefits thus conferred 

 upon us by Providence, or ungrateful to the exertions of 

 the authorities, is our sincere desire, as it must needs be of 

 whoever feels a true interest in the prosperity and enrich- 

 ment of the island." 



SHEEP, &c., CONTAGIOUS DISEASES PREVENTION. 



A BILL TO AMEND THE ACTS TO PREVENT THE SPREADING OP CONTAGIOUS OR INFECTIOUS DISORDERS 

 AMONGST SHEEP, CATTLE, AND OTHER ANIMALS. 



Prepared and brought in by Mr. Bentinck and Mk.Stafford. 

 Ordered, by the House of Commons, to be printed, 19th of May, 1857. 



Whereas by au act passed in the twelfth year of the reign 

 of her present Majesty, intituled "An act to prevent, until the 

 first day of September one thousand eight hundred and fifty, 

 and to the end of the then session of Parliament, the spread- 

 ing of contagious or infectious disorders among sheep, cattle, 

 and other animals," after reciting that a contagious or 

 infectious disorder known or described as the sheep-pox 

 or " variola ovina " then prevailad among the sheep in some 

 parts of the United Kingdom, and that it was necessary to 

 take measures to prevent such disorder from spreading, it was 

 enacted (amongst other things), that in case any sheep 



or lambs infected with or labouring under the said disorder, or 

 any disorder of the like nature, should be exposed or offered 

 for sale, or be brought or attempted to be brought for the 

 purpose of being so exposed or offered for sale, in any market, 

 fair, or other open or public place where other animals are 

 commonly exposed for sale, then and in any such case it should 

 be lawful for any clerk or inspector or other officer of such 

 fair or market, or for any constable or policeman, or for any 

 other person authorized by the mayor, or by any two justices 

 of the peace having jurisdiction in the place, or for any person 

 authorized or appointed by her Majesty in council, to seize the 



