Guano and Phosphate of Lime

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At the present moment guano is exceedingly scarce in New York, in fact it cannot be obtained, we are informed, in large quantities at all. An article of manure called " Improved Super-phosphate ot Lime "—artificial manure —manufactured by Prof. Mapes, sold for $50 per ton, is asserted by some to be equal if not superior to guano ; it has been analyzed by Prof. Johnson, of Yale College, who sets forth its true character. According to these analyses, 100 pounds of " Mapes's improved super-phosphate of lime " is composed of sulphate of lime (plaster) 37 pounds ; insoluble phosphate, 21 pounds ; soluble superphosphate oi lime, 15 pounds j free sulphuric acid, 5 pounds ; ammonia, 2J pounds The non-nitrogenous organic matter, water, and sand, which compose the other 20 pounds, are of course of but little value. It is, therefore, far less valuable than Peruvian Guano. According to the chart of Lake Erie, it is ascertained that the lake is divided into three sections. One ot these extends from the head down to Pt. Pelle island, and the bottom presents a general level, with a depth of 30 feet in the average. The second is of much. larger extent, and stretches to Long Point, is also a level, with a depth of 60 to 70 feet. The third section extends to the Niagara river, and is an uneven bottom, with various depths of water, ranging from 60 to 204 feet. The Atlantic steamer lies but a short distance from the greatest depth of water. An ingenious Yankee has constructed an india rubber stove. It is a great improvement upon cast iron, inasmuch as if some sticks of wood are too long, they can be crowded in, the material being sufficiently elastic for the purpose. The india rubber stove, too, is not liable to be cracked with the heat.— [Ex. [What a consciencce the author of the above has, in attributing the elastic stove to a Yankee, who usually prefers granite to gammon.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 35This article was published with the title “Guano and Phosphate of Lime” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 35 (), p. 280
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican05141853-280b

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