Annual Report of the Consulting Chemist. 351 
volatile and pungent smelling carbonate of ammonia which exists 
in damp Guanape and Macabi guano in considerable quantities, 
and thereby prevents loss in the most valuable constituents of 
Peruvian guano on keeping. 
, The sale of dissolved guano in Germany is greater than that 
j of raw guano ; and there cannot be much doubt that it will also 
be preferred to the latter by the British agriculturist when its 
superior fertilising qualities and real merits shall have been fully 
recognised by actual experience in the field, provided it can be 
I sold at a fair price in comparison with other artificial manures, 
j; The Peruvian Government made a great mistake in raising 
! the price of guano at a time when the altered character of the 
present supplies, in comparison Avith the old Chincha Island 
guano, rather pointed to a reduction in the price ; and it is to be 
hoped the Peruvian Government will recognise the propriety of 
offering to the public both raw and dissolved guano at such a 
price that, notwithstanding the increasing consumption of nitrate 
I of soda for agricultural purposes, and the competition with com- 
pound artificial manures, they would be sure to hold their ground 
and give satisfaction to the buyer. 
The Council of the Royal Agricultural Society has repeatedly 
urged upon the Peruvian Government the advisability of fixing 
the price of guano on the basis of a standard analysis, and there 
appears at length a reasonable prospect of eflfect being given to 
this recommendation. 
With regard to feeding-stuffs, I have to report that the improve- 
ment in the quality of linseed-cakes continues to extend, and 
that the endeavours of the Council to suppress, if possible, the 
manufacture and sale of inferior and adulterated cakes have borne 
good fruits in the past year. Of the 210 samples of oilcakes and 
feeding-meals received during the last twelve months, the majoritv 
were found to be really good and pure linseed-cakes, and com- 
I paratively few were cakes of an inferior character. 
I "However, the reprehensible practice of selling linseed-cakes 
made from dirty or badly-screened linseed as genuine linseed- 
cakes, although much diminished, has not been entirely given up 
in certain well-known quarters. \ 
The inquiries respecting the management of particular soils 
as regards their suitability for certain crops, the selection of the 
I proper manures, the improvement of grass-land, &c., have been 
more numerous than in former years ; and as many as 41 soils, 
; the largest number ever submitted to me in a single year, were 
sent for analysis and report. This shows an increasing desire on 
the part of agriculturists to derive benefit from the suggestions 
I and advice which the Agricultural Chemist may be able to give 
i to the occupier of land. 
