" MANURES. 53 



near the coast of Peru and some of the headlands on the adja- 

 cent shores, between latitudes 13 and 21 South. It is here 

 deposited to the depth, sometimes, of 50 or 60 feet. Within 

 the degrees above named, rain seldom falls; and there is 

 little waste, either of the substance or quality of these vast 

 accumulations, from the lapse of time or the action of the 

 elements. 



The water-fowl which resort to this coast and the islands 

 near it, subsist principally on fish ; and their feces are con- 

 sequently, much richer in nitrogen than those of any species 

 of the feathered tribes, excepting such as are exclusively 

 carniverous. 



Peruvian guano is of a light, brown color, resembling the 

 yellowish earths or loam ; and it is beyond all comparison, su- 

 perior to any other guano yet discovered, or than other 

 manures hitherto known. The following average analysis 

 of Dr. Ure, shows that this description of guano, contains the 

 important and rarer portions of animal manure, in propor- 

 tions far beyond that of any animal matter in its natural 

 combinations. In every 100 parts, there are, of 



Organic matter containing nitrogen, including urate 

 of ammonia, and capable of affording from 8 to 17 per 

 cent, of ammonia by slow change in the soil, 50 



Water 11. Phosphate of lime 25, 36 



Ammonia, phosphate of magnesia, phosphate of am- 

 monia and oxalate of ammonia, containing from 4 to 9 

 per cent, of ammonia, 13 



Silicious matter from the crops of birds, 1 



Its character, as correctly indicated by such an analysis as 

 the above, and which is fully sustained by the astonishing, 

 'and generally profitable results that follow its application, 

 has rendered it, though of recent introduction, one of the 

 most popular manures, both in America and Europe. It 

 has been known and appreciated by the Peruvians from 

 time immemorial ; and by its liberal use alone, combined 

 with irrigation, they have for ages, produced the most abun- 

 dant crops of Indian corn and wheat. It was scarcely 

 known in Europe till 1840. Extensive experiments were 

 then made with it in Great Britain. These were so satis- 

 factory, that over 375,000 tons have since been imported into 

 that country in a single year. 



African or Ichaboe and Patagonian Guano have been 

 brought into this country to a limited amount. They have 



