BAT GFAXO ])EPOSIT.S OF 1UI()])ESIA 



By Edmund VifTou Elack, 

 Assist. Agiic. CJiciiiisf, Sdhshinj/. 



Read Juhj 15, lO'JO. 



Tlie scarcity of fertilisers duriiiy recent years lias led 

 to cojisiderable prospecting being done in connection with 

 bat guano deposits, and caves liave been discovered in various 

 parts of Ehodesia. From the records in the Agricultural 

 Laboratory, Department of Agriculture, Salisbury, samples 

 have been received from Sinoia, Mazoe, Darwendale, Gwelo, 

 Gatooma, Que Que, Eigtree, Melsetter, etc. 



Ej'om an agriculturist's point of view. " guanos " luive 

 been liighh* prized in the past on account of their rajnd action 

 on crops, but, unfortunately, the term " guano " lias almost 

 lost it true value to-day, as we find many articles offered 

 for sale that have no right to have the term " guano " affixed. 

 Several bat guanos that were placed on the South African 

 market came under my observation during 191T, and the 

 results of anahsis proved that they were of no commercial 

 value — in fact, many soils would contain the same manurial 

 ecjuivalei'.t. The average composition of four- samples of 

 (so-calh>d) h\\{ guanos was as follows: — 



" Guano," as defined in the liegulations of the Eertilisers 

 Ordinance in force in Southern Rhodesia, means solely the 

 (M)llected excreta of sea birds. Excreta of bats, steamed, 

 boiled or po's\'dered fisli or fish refuse and Avliale sera]) may 

 be sold under the names " bat guano," " fish guano " or 

 "whale guano," as tlic case may be, and not sim])ly as 

 " guano." Ill any (■as(\ where the woid " guano " is iiot 

 preceded by llie ([Ualifying terms "bal," "fish" or 

 " Avhale," it shall be taken lo mean solidy the collected 

 excreta of sea biids. 



