258 TKAKSACTIONS OF THF, 



or any other elastic or adhesive substance, and is secured by an 

 iron clamp, tightened by a screw in the centre, which presses on 

 the rim of the jar, making it perfectly air-tight. 



RESOLUTIONS ABOUT GUANO. 



The following preamble and resolutions on a subject of daily in- 

 creasing importance were read by the Secretary and unanimously 

 assented to by the Chair : 



Whereas, The Peruvian government has monopolized the sup- 

 ply of guano throughout the United States, and 



Whereas, On account of said monopoly the farmers of this 

 country have heretofore been obliged to pay for said article 

 about $50 a ton, and by a recent announcement of that govern- 

 ment there is no prospect hereafter of any reduction, and 



Whereas, There is reason to believe that islands containing 

 large and valuable deposits of ammoniated guano have recently 

 been discovered by citizens of the United States, who have made 

 application to the government at Washington lor protection 

 therein, and 



Whereas, If said protection shall be afforded, the farmers of 

 this country will reap the benefit of said fertilizer at an allow- 

 ance of but $1 a ton on the freight of the same to our shores, in- 

 stead of an onerous tax of more than $25 per ton now paid Peru; 

 therefore. 



Resolved, That it is the duty of the American government to 

 assert its sovereignty over any and all barren and uninhabitable 

 guano islands of the ocean which have been or hereafter may be 

 discovered by citizens of the United States, and Avhich are situa- 

 ted so far from any continent that, according to the laws which 

 govern nations, no other power can rightfully exercise jurisdic- 

 tion over them, and to guarantee the right of property therein to 

 the discoverer, his successors or assigns. 



Resolved, That the agricultural societies of the several states 

 be invited to concur in the foregoing, and to unite in calling upon 

 our government at Washington, and the distinguished public 

 men now^ before the country, for their views on this important 

 question. 



Resolved, That bread being the staff of life, its abundance fur- 

 nishes the basis of national prosperity. 



Resolved, That the foregoing resolutions be printed in the form 

 of a circular, signed by the President and Secretary, and trans- 

 mitted to the County and State Agriultural Societies of the sev- 



