MANURE FROM BIRDS. 105 



The farmers of this country need awakening upon 

 the subject of carefully preserving their common ma 

 nures. In Flanders, where every thing of the kind is 

 saved with the greatest care, the liquid manure of a 

 single cow for a year is valued at $10; here it is too 

 often allowed to escape entirely. Either they are very 

 foolish, or we are very wasteful. 



SECTION II. OF MANURE FROM BIRDS. GUANO. 



The manure of birds is richer than that of any ani 

 mals, for the reason that here we have the liquid and 

 solid excrements mixed together. On this account it 

 is found to be particularly rich in nitrogen, and also 

 in phosphates. The manure of pigeons, hens, ducks, 

 geese, and turkeys, is very valuable, and should be 

 carefully collected. The amount to be obtained from 

 these sources may be thought so insignificant as to be 

 unworthy of notice; but it must be remembered that 

 three or four hundred Ibs. of such manure, that has 

 not been exposed to rain or sun, is worth at least 14 

 to 18 loads of ordinary manure. 



Guano, a substance that has been so much used 

 within the past few years, is a manure of this class. 

 It is found in those tropical latitudes where there is 

 seldom or never any continued rain. Immense num 

 bers of sea birds build their nests, rear their young, 

 and pass their time, when not upon the wing, on the 

 rocky shores and small islets. Here their excrements 

 have accumulated, layer upon layer, for centuries, 

 remaining uninjured in those dry climates: beds of it 

 have occasionally been found, from 15 to 25 feet in 

 thickness. The food of these birds consists almost 

 entirely of fish, and hence their manure is remarka 

 bly rich in its quality. The guano, in its best state, 

 is this manure concentrated by the evaporation of its 

 water. 



