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FISHERIES AND GUANO INDUSTRY OF PERU. 365 
ties. We have seen that it has proved impossible to grant to the farmers of 
the country the full amount of the guano which they desire. However warmly 
and sincerely the principle of regulation may be indorsed, there must be faced 
a strong and not unreasonable cry from the many farmers for more fertilizer. 
Only by the opening of the middle, and later of the north, island of the Chin- 
chas, which it had been intended to keep closed, and by the opening of the 
Lobos de Afuera Island, was it possible to give to the farmers the two-thirds 
portion of the guano which they required. 
A large and important industry with exacting relations to creditors and 
to national agriculture can not be thrown upon a new basis in a moment; but 
the interests of all concerned are linked with the welfare of the industry, and 
it is believed that those on all sides who have power or influence are giving 
serious attention to the matter. It is probable that the proper solution of the 
question will not long be delayed, and we may confidently anticipate a brighter 
and far more satisfactory future for the guano industry, at least so far as the 
people of Peru are concerned. 
CONCLUSION. 
As a concluding word, it may be stated that the investigation of the fishery 
and guano industries was taken up alittle less than two years ago. The first step 
has been the collation of data regarding the industries, the methods in use, and 
especially the conditions and the opportunities for development. The studies of 
the present writer conclude at this point. It is intended by the government 
to continue these studies and to adopt practical measures that will facilitate the 
development of the industries. It is evident that important economic results 
may be gained which will benefit both the fishing population and the country 
at large. 
It is hoped also that arrangements may be made to investigate the fresh 
waters of the interior with reference to determining whether it is possible and 
profitable to introduce new species of fish into some of the lakes and rivers. 
It is to be added that the government appreciates the ultimate necessity 
for an accurate knowledge of the marine fauna and flora, and desires to pro- 
mote a knowledge of the natural history of the country. With this in view, the 
writer was instructed to collect the chief economic forms and others associated 
with these. The collections thus made will probably not include many new 
forms, except of the fishes, but it is intended that they shall serve as a basis for 
systematic reports illustrating the economic forms and epitomizing the present 
systematic information regarding the more important economic groups. To 
this end the collections will be intrusted to specialists in the various groups. It 
is believed that the reports will be of value to science and that they will be of 
especial service to those who may in future have the opportuinty to enlarge our 
knowledge of the natural history of a comparatively neglected region. 
