Annual Report of the Consulting Chemist. 263 
Composition of a sample of Mejillones Guano. 
Moisture • 7 '09 
•Organic mattor 7"44: 
■{■Phosphoric acid 33'97 
Lime 37-01 
Magnesia 2"83 
Chloride of sodium 2'87 
Potash -34 
Sulphuric acid 2'53 
JCarbonic acid 2-76 
Oxide, of iron "69 
Insoluble siliceous matter 2-47 
100-00 
* Containing nitrogen -93 
Equal to ammonia 1-12 
t Equal to tribasic phosphate of lime .. 74-15 
X Equal to carbonate of lime G-25 
It will be seen that Mejillones guano is very rich in phosphate 
of lime, but that it yields only one per cent, of ammonia. 
Although it may be applied without further preparation as a 
manure for root crops, it is more advantageously treated with 
sulphuric acid, and converted thereby into a high-class, soluble 
guano superphosphate. 
Another valuable phosphatic guano, containing still less 
nitrogen than Mejillones guano has been introduced into com- 
merce from Curacao Island in the West Indies. 
The average composition of good samples of Curacao guano 
is fairly represented by the following analysis : — 
Curacao Phosphate. 
Moisture 8-72 
Organic matter 5-79 
'Phosphoric acid 33-51 
Lime 43-01 
■fCarbonic acid 2-96 
Magnesia, alkalies, &c 5-71 
Sand -30 
100-00 
* Equal to tribasic phosphate of lime . . . . 73*15 
t Equal to carbonate of lime 6 • 72 
The utilisation of various waste products for agricultural 
purposes is no longer neglected, but is receiving more attention in 
all civilised countries. Unfortunately the manufacture of many 
refuse matters into dry portable manures is attended with so much 
expense that the manufacture of fish-refuse, of blood and the car- 
cases of dead animals, &c., leaves but a small margin for profit. 
Fish-refuse, if it can be bought at a price corresponding to its 
intrinsic fertilising value, is a useful manure for wheat or barley. 
