On Peruvian Guano: Its History, Composition and Fertilizing Qualities; With the Best Mode of Its Application to the Soil (Classic Reprint) - Tapa blanda

Excerpt from On Peruvian Guano: Its History, Composition and Fertilizing Qualities; With the Best Mode of Its Application to the Soil

The Chincha islands, which contain the great Guano de posits, are situated in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Peru, at the distance of about twelve miles.

They lie between Lat. And Lat. S.; a zone within which no rain falls, where the air is dry, and the sun shines with vehement power. The waters of the surrounding ocean contain innumerable shoals of fish; and myriads of birds, after daily satisfying their voracious appetites upon the finny tenants of the deep, have for ages made the islands their nightly abode, and the receptacle of their faecal offerings. From the arid nature of the climate, the excess. Of humidity has speedily evaporated from their ordure, de composition has been arrested, and by gradual accumulation from time immemorial, these extraordinary deposits have attained the depth, in many parts, of one hundred feet.

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This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from On Peruvian Guano: Its History, Composition and Fertilizing Qualities; With the Best Mode of Its Application to the Soil

That an increase of solubility in bones and other phosphates would be attended by an increased productive power in the crop, was the idea of Liebig. This great chemist, in 1840, recommended, in lieu of bones, the use of the substance long well known to chemists as the acid or super-phosphate of lime, which is producible from bones and other phosphates by the action of sulphuric acid. Practice has since shown the great advantage of Liebig's suggestion.

The introduction of the dung of birds and other animals, under the name of "Guano;" and the discovery, in Suffolk and other counties, of immense quantities of fossil bones, and other animal remains, known as "Coprolites", have followed quickly upon each other, and there can be no doubt that by their means an entire revolution will be made in the practice of Agriculture.

The concentrated character of most of the genuine artificial manures, particularly adapts them for use in the mountainous and hilly districts of our country, where the carriage of ordinary manure is both difficult and expensive. One waggon may now easily carry enough manure for 15 or 20 acres of turnips. Formerly 15 or 20 loads were required for a single acre.

Of all the artificial manures, Peruvian Guano is perhaps not only the most concentrated, but is, from its composition, adapted to the greatest variety of crops. The chief mineral constituents of plants - lime, magnesia, potash, soda, chlorine, sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid, (the latter the most important) are found in Guano. Nitrogen, the most valuable constituent of manures, is found in Peruvian Guano in great abundance, and in a condition well adapted for vegetation.

About the Publisher

Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com

This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.