The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-12

Of he opinion Of lo most distinguished OF the
authorities, chat I" al monia is not indispensable. ?
II is rather a kind Of assurance that we have guano,
when weperceive the pungency, and that is all. On
the other hand, the phosphates are the true reno
yators and supporters Of vegetable vitality, and
as these are found in great varieties in guano,
the article is adaptable 10 a great variety Of soils.
This gives it It's widespread popularity, and s]ustains
for it a neyer-eeasing demand. The droppings Of the
birds Of the ocean consist Of their urine discharged
in a common passage with the e~xcrementa, and these,
when analysed, furnish us with soluble salts, phos-
pilates and s~ulphates Of potash, chlorides of potas-
stun and sodium, organic matter containing uric acid
and ammoniacal salts, phosphates Of lime and mag
nesia. These placed in the soil in the compound
form of guano, return to it its lost treasures.
The Peruvian guano has been our entire dependence
since the value of it as a manure has been ascer-
tanned. 1t has become a monopoly, however, in the
hands Of the agents in this country, and is sold at $50
per ton, far above It's real cost with evena fair profit
besides, aud the government Of that country has re-
Gently made formal announcement that no reduction
in price may be expected. 1t is therefore Of the
greatest Importance that we should be supplied at a
cheaper rate, and, if possible, with a better article.
Our American shipmasters have begun the work of
exploration, and our men of enterprise are forming
companies to occupy the newly-dscoyered islands,
and to bring home their products. A reduction in
price of at least one half is already announced as a
part of the plan Of operations, and in this case we
may expect to see 4 general revival Of successful ag-
~riculture even in the most worn-out lands of the old
est States. On the score Of humanity, progress, sup
ply Of food, and comfort of the human race, guano is
thus assuming an important and controlling position,
and in this view Of il, this fertilizer is one of the
greatest Blooms of the age, and one of the most re
markable Providences of our day.
In conclusion, it is proper to aIuie to the import
ance in a commercial point Of view of the discovery
and occupation of the guano islands in the Pacific
by American citizens.
Besides the great value of guano as a fertilizer,
and its essential qualities for the increased produc-
ton of our soils, it will afford ample employment to
our much-depressed marine. Hundreds Of the finest
and largest American ships are lying idle in the
ports of this country, China, and California, most of
which can find profitable employment in the guano
trade as soon as the harbors are examined, moorings
laid, and the rights of our citizens recognised. Prob
ably two hundred cargoea have already been con-
tracted for by the two American companies even
while the rights to the islands, and the means Of
reaching them with proper loading facilities, are to
some extent unsettled.
1t is probably known to our readers that Congress,
in view of the Importance Of these deposites, passed
an act in August, 1856, declaring that, after certain
preliminary steps, the islands so discovered and oc-
cupied might, at the discretion of the President, be
considered as appertaining to the United States, We
understand that all the requisite steps have been
taken by the discoveries of these islands under the
act alluded TO and that they have been acknowl-
edged by the State Department as properly claimed.
1t therefore only remains for such action as the Ex-
ecutive shall deem e~xpedient to consider them as
appertaining to the United States, and to secure to our
country the advantages Of these vast and remarka-
BILE deposites.