AMERICAN INSTITUTE, 233 



Jarvis island, which is some fifty miles from the other, is two 

 miles aud 3,336 feet long, and one mile and 1,108 feet wide in 

 the center. The area of the guano deposit is 27,392,512 super- 

 ficial feet, with an average depth of 2 feet 9 inches. The quan- 

 tity is variously calculated at ten to fifteen millions of tons, all 

 of which is secured to this company by act of Congress, upon 

 condition that they sell it in place at $4 a ton, or alongside of 

 vessel at $8 a ton, and to none but citizens of the United States. 

 It can be freighted here for $20 a ton, and sold at at a fair profit 

 for less than $40 a ton — perhaps for $30. This will be of im- 

 mense benefit to all the owners of poor land, and, through in- 

 creased production, to all the people of this country. 



The four tons now here will be placed in the hands of disin- 

 terested parties within a few days, who will carefully test its 

 value, which we shall endeavor to report faithfully. 



Dr. Waterbury, from the special committee on this guano, re- 

 marked, that this guano, in position on the island, has a thin crust, 

 occasioned by slight occasional rains or dews. The nitrogenous 

 element in it is not derived from the atmosphere. 



Prof. Mapes had no reason to doubt the high value of this 

 guano. Ammonia is gathered by our earthen flower potsj after 

 being some time in use they absorb it. Our experienced garden- 

 ers grind up their old pots and use them for their ammonia 



Dr. Waterbury said, that the present high prices of bread and 

 moat called for our strongest approbation of the introduction of 

 so powerful a fertilizer as this guano, and of all that science and 

 industry, too, which can, in this great land of ours, prevent such 

 a strange anomaly as too dear bread and meat ! Let us then 

 welcome with open arms this and every other honorable matter 

 tending to bring down these anti-American prices — prices fit 

 hardly for a worn down despotism ! Prices disgraceful to this 

 new and vast continent, able, if willing, to feed the whole human 

 family. 



Masa B. Southwick, of Canada, exhibited exsiccated potato in 

 the form of small grains. By hot air, he reduces fifteen bushels 

 of potatoes to one barrel j and also the mode of cookery. Water 



