A NEW AND USEFUL MODE OF RESTORING PHOSPHATIC GUANO
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Taylor Glidden, of the State of Massa-
chusetts, of the United States of America, for the Invention of "A NEW
AND USEFUL MODE OF RESTORING PHOSPHATIC GUANO."-A communication
by Louis Harper, residing at Brooklyn, in the State of New York.
COMPLETE SPÉCIFICATION filed by the said. William Taylor Glidden,
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with bis Petition and
Declaration, on the 29th. April 1862, pursuant to the 9th Section of
the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, BE IT
KNOWN that I, WILLIAM TAYLOR GLIDDEN, of the State of Massachusetts, of
the United States of America, am in possession of an Invention of "A NEW
AND USEPUL MODE OF RESTORING PHOSPHATIC GUANO," the same having been
communicated to me by Louis Harper, resident at Brooklyn, in the State of
New York, and I do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and
the manner in which it is to be performed to be fully described and ascertained
in and by the following statement (that is to say):-
The Invention comprehends the resuscitation and restoration of phosphatic
guanos, such as come to us from the Islands of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans,
the Gulf of Mexico, and other places. These islands are situated in zones
subject to heavy atmospheric precipitations, and most of them to periodical

page_text: tropical rains, which luxiviate the guanos, as it were, or deprive them of all
soluble parts, and leave only the basic phosphates of lime and magnesia and
some insoluble organic matter. These guanos, although of great intrinsic value
as fertilizers when in a natural state, are not such after deterioration as
described, as they by such are rendered insoluble in water, soluble only by a
larger influence of the atmosphere and the different acids and alkalies in the
soils and affect vegetation only lightly and by degrees.
The object of the Invention now is to resuscitate and restore these guanos to
their original quality and effectiveness. This is accomplished by re-impreg-
nating them with such ammoniacal and alkaline salts as are a material aid in
the luxuriant growth of the herbaceous part of the plants, and rendering a part
of the basic phosphates soluble by converting them in one and the same process
into bi or super-phosphates.
The re-agents which have. been selected for the above purpose are, first,
all kinds of nitrogenous matter, such as carrion of any description, fish,
blood, urine, or offal from slaughtered animals, in a word any or all
kinds of nitrogeneous matter yielding ammonia may be employed; second,
acids, preferring sulphuric acid; third, the fixed alkalies such as soda and
potash, for instance; fourth, sulphate of lime, or sulphates whose bases have
less affinity for their acid than the nascent ammonia. Ammoniacal salts may
also be employed instead of nitrogenous matter, but as the power of the
ammonia contained in them of combining further for the formation of double
salts and promoting the solubility of the basic phosphates is very limited, they
are less desirable and useful than nitrogenous matter of any or all kinds
yielding ammonia. The chemical process to accomplish the above object
which may be employed, and which I hitherto have employed, is the
following:-
In carrying out the Invention I prefer to do so in a shed made with either
a wooden, cement, or stone floor and roof, a movable roof which may be
opened or shut at pleasure being preferable. I take a small portion of the
guano to be operated upon, moisten it well with urine or animal juice, or if
neither can be had with water (sea water being preferable), but do not make
it so wet that the moisture can run out. I mix it well and spread it over the
floor of the shed, and spread over this layer a portion (say about one-fourth or
one-third of the sulphate of lime to be used for the whole quantity of the
guano to be operated upon. The bed having been thus prepared, the whole
quantity of nitrogenous matter to be used for the determined quantity of
guano should next be spread equally over the whole of it. This layer of animal
matter should remain exposed to the atmosphere until decomposition com-

page_text: mences. Next, over the animal matter I spread another portion of the guano
to be operated upon, it having been previously moistened, as above described.
Next, over this guano I spread the alkaline matter to be used, baving pre-
viously mixed it with another half or third of the sulphate of lime, of which, at
least, one-fourth should remain for purposes herein-after to be stated. Next,
over this layer I spread the remainder of the guano which, if it be too dry,
should previously be moistened a little in order that it may easier absorb
liquids. Next, I dilute a quantity of acid (sulphuric acid, for instance),
sufficient to render a desired quantity of the basic phosphates of the guano
soluble with about four or five parts of water, and pour it equally over the
layer or mass of guano. In this state the mass must remain for several days
under the immediate influence of the rays of the sun with the admission of
heat, such, however, should not exceed 200° Fahrenheit. After a few days
the mass should be examined, and should it not be moist enough it ought to
be again moistened as above stated. Next, it should be suffered to remain
untouched for a few days, but continual care must be taken that the ammonia
does not escape, as should it escape, a portion of the remaining sulphate of
lime ought to be spread over the bed. In case disintegration may not proceed
quick enough the bed may be loosened and moistened if necessary. As soon as
the decomposition may have progressed sufficiently far, and may be more than
half accomplished, the whole bed should be carefully turned in such a
manner that the lower portions may come to the top of the heap, and the
mass must be disintegrated if necessary. This having been done the balance
of the sulphate of lime should be equally spread over it. After about eight or
ten days a careful turning may be required in order to accelerate decomposi-
tion which, having fully taken place, the mass should be dried, for which
purpose it may be ready for use.
The principles by which an operator is to be guided are the following, first,
the nature of the guano must not be materially changed. Second, the quantity
of lime in the same must not be increased, and not more lime ought to be
added to it than will be sufficient to give the increase of the guano the same
quantity of lime as the guano originally contained. Third, the quantity of
nitrogenous matter should be determined according to the quality of the
guano, care being taken not to reduce the quantity of the phosphates too
much. The phosphates ought not to be reduced below forty-five per cent.
Should the guano be such that this cannot be effected and that, in order to
obtain a sufficient quantity of aminonia, the phosphates of the guano must be
reduced below that standard; phosphates ought to be added by applying
nitrogenous matter, which contains at the same time phosphates, as au

page_text: instance fish with their bones may be used. Fourth, the quantity of the
sulphuric acid must be determined according to the quantity of soluble
phosphates desired. Not all the phosphates need be rendered soluble in
order to promote the durability of the fertilizing quality of the guano, a
portion of them, say, one-half, or one-third of them will suffice. Fifth, the
quantity of alkalies. must be determined according to the quality of the guano
and the reduction of the phosphates as stated in principle No. 3. Sixth, the
quantity of the sulphate of lime must be determined as by principle No. 2.
What I claim as the Invention, and' desire to secure by Letters Patent, is.
as follows, viz., I claim the restoration of phosphatic guano in the manner and
by the means substantially as described..
.
In witness whereof, I, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this
8th day of April, 1862.
WILLIAM TAYLOR GLIDDEN. (L.S.)