#>t; EGYPTIAN AGftlCl 'LTLRK. 



percentage of nitrogen amounts to 1*4 per cent. In the 

 sun-dried cakes the percentage is slightly increased owing 

 to the greater degree of dry ness obtained and the percentage 

 of nitrogen may be stated as l'o%. In one ton of " gillahs " 

 there is consequently 33'6 Ibs. of nitrogen, practically the 

 whole of which is lost in burning. In order to replace 

 this nitrogen it would be necessary to purchase 215 Ibs. 

 of nitrate of soda which at prices prevailing in Egypt is 

 equal to an expenditure of at least P.T. 125. It is seen 

 therefore that the loss is not a slight one and it is certainly 

 not a matter of indifference to cultivators, ^ot only is 

 it the loss of nitrogen which has to be considered but also 

 the loss of organic matter which we have already pointed 

 out as being so necessary for Egyptian Soils. Until a 

 better supply of fuel is available it is difficult to see how 

 this wasteful practice can be prevented. 



PIGEON MANURE. 



This is very extensively used in this country, more 

 especially in Upper Egypt, and constitutes a rich manure. 

 The excrement of all birds forms a valuable fertiliser, and 

 that of fish -eating birds that has accumulated on the coasts 

 of Chili. Peru, etc., has been used in Europe for nearly a 

 century under the name of " guano." Pigeon manure is 

 used for melons, vegetables and other valuable crops as 

 well as for sugar-cane. It is too costly a manure to be 

 employed generally for ordinary crops. It contain about 5 % 

 of nitrogen, or 15 to 20 times more than that in ordinary 

 sebach beladi. It also contains notable quantities of phos- 

 phoric Moid, amounting to 2*25 /^. The Following table 



