The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1857-04-02
ALEX. CAMPBELL.
For the P. z. Advertiser
April 1857.

uOCuAuS 0CInS y ~ US WblClUg TO 3 compete
triumph of the American Guano. Company in their
enterprise. Certainly, what has been accomplished
in the face of Commodore Mervine's sc famous report,
reflects the highest credit upon those who have prose-
cuted the enterprise to it's present success. Much,
perhaps most, of that credit is justly due to two of
our own ~townsmen, Capt. Patty and Mr.. Judd.
There is, then, no longer q doubt that the guano
Of the newly discovered islands of the Guano Company
is obtainable. But, permit one of your subscribers
modestly to ask, whether it is not yet too early to
pronounce upon the complete and ultimate success Of
the whole scheme? Of course, the only room for the
shadow OF q doubt, is upon the practical value of the
product, as an article of commerce. Unless the arti-
Gle endure the test of the laboratory; and. unless the
analysis of the chemist is verified by the experience
of the practical agriculturist, the scheme must end
in disaster and ruin to those who invest their capital
in the undertaking. To this, no doubt, the Company
have on eye AS it is the question upon which hangs
the hope of final success. There is, as has been
already intimated, room for O. doubt in regard to its
becoming q valuable commodity in the market.
Guano is valued chiefly for it's ammonia, or rather
for it's ammonia and those products which are readily
convertible into ammonia, or which furnish nitrogen
to plants, as q necessary food.
Next to these, in order of value, are to be placed
it's phosphates, a portion Of which are commonly
" o&AcO , VIM ANAO ~ ANGS AC AiAOs
Some guanos give out q very strong ammonical
odor, and these have generally been considered the
best. But this is, probably, a mistake. The strength
of the ammonical odor can indicate only the amount
of free ammonia and such free ammonia is, in part
at least, the product of putrifaction and decay, and is
also extremely volatile. It's effect, therefore, and
consequently it's value is limited by its volatility.
But there are other products among these bird-excre-
lions, when they are in their natural condition, the de-
composition and decomposition of which affords the ee-
ments from which ammonia is formed. Such are uric
acid and azotized animal matter which is found in them.
These contain large quantities of hydrogen ana nitro
gen, and exposure or application to the soil effects
both the decomposition of the substances in which
they are found. Thus, while it is necessary to deter
mine the. amount of ammonia already formed, and,
consequently the stage reached in the process of
decay, it is equally necessary to determine the
amount which may be formed from the materials
mentioned. 1t will be readily seen from the above
statements, if they are correct, that a want of am
monical odor is no proof against q guano, as it may,
without this, be very good or very poor, while such
odor may indicate various degrees of decay and loss.
But guano is valuable for the phosporic acid con-
tanned in its phosphates Of ammonia, lime, and mag
nesia. This acid enters so largely into g the bones
and sinews Of vegetable bodes,'' that its application
in an artificial manner is second in Importance only
to that of the elements obtained from ammonia itself.
lime, one of the principal bases of these phos-
pilates, it should be said that it enters but slightly
into the organism of plants. It's chief value is found
in its effect upon the soil. Here it acts powerfully
as a decomposing agent, preparing the various SUBJ
stances contained in the soil for their reception by
the growing plant. Its value is most apparent in
those soils which abound in organic matter, or, in
other words, matter containing carbon. hydrogen,
--- Il - 3I1co
present in the soil, lime is Of little consequence.
There are other bases usually found in guano, such
as soda, potassa, alumina, and magnesia already
alluded to but, as these exist in smaller quantities,
and hold a subordinate rank, they need only be men,
toned. When the guano is very heavy, there may
be a suspicion of sand or other earthly materials in
it, which will very materially lessen its value. All
guanos probably contain q little sand.
In the light of these facts which, we think, will be
found tn be stated with sufficient accuracy for the
present purpose, and in the light of the only quanti-
tative analysis which has come to US, q suggestion or
two is ventured In regard to the guano alluded to-.
It is evidently deficient in ammonia. This fact is
abundantIy shown by experiments. The analysis OF
A. A. Hayes, Esq, State Assayer of Mass. shows the
same, although it leaves us utterly in the dark in
regard to the actual amount which it will afford.
We submit that it is too much mixed up with other
substances to enable the unscienti6c to approach even
to calculation concerning its value in this respect.
The scientific may be able to do tive cannot. Let
it not be supposed either that any other substance
can compensate for the want of this, for, if there Is
any truth in the statements made above, they show
that lime cannot take the place of ammonia. nor am
monia that of lime.
The analysis tells a better story of phosphoric acid
and lime. But good as the story is, it appears to be
badly told, for We know not hoD much there is of
either-nor even how much of both. In these sub
stances, without much doubt, lies the chief value Of
the article in question, and it is of the utmost impor-
lance that they be as accurately defined as possible.
Perhaps they are so, but the conviction forces itself
upon the mind that they are not. Furthermore, the
article has the appearance of containing one or two
substances which are not defined at all.
It may appear like presumption 10 question an
analysis coming from so high authority, but it should
not be forgotten that the best analyst may do as
careless or as incomplete a work as Commodore
Mervin has done. The company viii need q more
thorough examination of the article, which will soon
demand a place in the market. Let that examina-
ton be made by different chemists, OF. let a series Of
analyses be made by the same chemist, and then let
the whole be generalized, as the surest method Of ar
irving at a satisfactory estimate of its real value.
This being done, it can be placed in the market with
some knowledge beforehand of what it is. what it is
worth, and what results it viii produce.
The world has seen too many humbugs TO receive
this on vague and indefinite testimony without doubt
inss. 1.-THE company are wise, they will place the ques-