418 Quarterly Report of the Chemical Committee, June 1890. 
It is well known that fish hone and other refuse, when in a dry, 
powdered condition, is extremely rich in phosphates, ammonia, potash, soda, 
saline, and other salts, and has proved to be the best and richest fertiliser in 
the world. 
The circular continues : — 
It is a well-balanced guano, and works very similar to farm-yard and 
stahle manure, consequently it is exceedingly suitable for all kinds of plants 
and crops, only, it being in a concentrated condition, it acts more quickly, 
&c, &c. 
Being a production from the sea, its potash and saline salts effectually 
destroy the laxvsa and germs of ground grubs, slugs, and all insect life, &c. 
The following analysis was sent on March 14 : — 
Moisture ........ 
1 Organic matter ....... 
Phosphate of lime ....... 
Alkalies, magnesia, oxide of iron, &c. . . 
Sand . . 
1 Containing nitrogen . . . . -63 
Equal to ammonia . ; . . "76 
When sending this, Mr. Voelcker wrote : — 
As you will see by the certificate, 86 per cent, of it is sand, and it con- 
tains only 1J per cent, of phosphate of lime, and f per cent, of ammonia. 
The material has no right to he called Fish Guano, and is almost worthless. 
Upon receiving this report, Mr. Leycester wrote, on March 1 7 : — 
The " guano " was purchased by a small tenant on this estate. ... I 
find that two or three other tenants on this estate have been persuaded into 
the purchase of this manure, so-called. I was so struck by appearance and 
feel of the stuff, being familiar with real Fish Guano, that I felt convinced 
there was something wrong, hut confess that I was unprepared for the 
presence of so large a percentage of sand. The vendor, who is agent, 
probably knows nothing of the nature of what he sold ; he went round with 
samples taking orders, and, from what I gather, succeeded in getting a good 
many. 
Referring to the statement in the circular that the guano was 
sold on guaranteed analysis, Mr. Leycester wrote, on March 20 : — 
I had advised tenant who had purchased the compound to apply for 
analysis of the same. Instead of a reply by post he received a visit from 
some man from the vendor, who told him that there had been a mistake and 
that no charge would be made for the " manure " supplied. The visit was 
followed the next day by the letter which I enclose. 
The Phosphate Fish Bone Guano Company, 
Central Buildings, North John Street, Liverpool. 
March 18, 1890. 
Dear Sir, — Our representative informs us that he called upon yon to- 
day, and acquainted you witli the fact that we had strong reason to believe 
that the manure you received hail in some way been sent out not up to our 
guaranteed analysis. We are inquiring as to how this could have occurred, 
and beg to assure you that our manager had strict orders to send out each 
order exact as to quality, and, but for some remarks made amongst the men, 
2- 95 \ 
6-35 
1-53 
3- 32 
85-85 
10000 
