MANURE. 173 



out any ofTensIve evolution of gas, by boiling the offal of 

 the slaughter-house, and other refuse animal substance, by 

 steam, into a thick soup, and then mixing the whole into a 

 stiff paste, with sifted coal ashes, and drying. If putrefaction 

 should have begun, the addition of ashes sweetens the whole, 

 and the prepared " animalized coal," as it is termed, or pou- 

 drette, is as sweet to the nose, as garden mould. It is trans- 

 ported in barrels from Paris to the interior 



This manure is prepared at " horse boiling" establishments 

 in France. The carcasses of horses are cut in quarters, and 

 steamed, to separate the fat. Unfortunately the flesh loses 

 some of its salts by this treatment. The composition of the 

 commercially cooked flesh was found by Soubeiran to be 



Water, 10.00 



Animal matter, 84.78 



Bone phosphate of lime, .... 2.40 

 Earthy matter, 2.82 



100.00 



In this state it is said to be a cold manure, very poor in 

 alkaline salts. It wants ammonia. 



Blood is also converted into manure by the " horse boil- 

 ers." It is coagulated by steam, and then dried in the air. 

 Thus treated, it contains 



Water, 17.00 



Animal matter, 78.00 



Bone phosphate, 0.33 



Salts and earthy matter, .... 4.67 



100.00 

 211. Guano is the excrement of sea-birds. It is found on 

 our northern rocks and islands, but its great deposit is on 

 the islands of the Southern Ocean, between 13° and 21° south 



