OUR INDUSTRIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2004, 21 July 1892, Page 22

OUR INDUSTRIES.

♦ Fish Guano— An Interesting History. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — In your issue of the 7th inst. you published an interesting extract from one of the English agricultural journals on the value and extensive manufacture and application of this manure as a fertilising agent, and the incident that led to this discovery will be read with attention by all who take an interest in progressive science. In the year 1852 the writer was the guest of Mr E. Pettitt, C.E., London, and to make this brief history more clear, I remind your readers that Messrs Bright and Co., of Liverpool, held a monopoly of the guano deposits in Peru. From inquiries made evidence was given that there_ were many thousands of tons of guano sold in England in excess of the quantity imported. This was proof positive of wholesale adulteration^ and the fact that the price per ton was £12 12s set the people thinking of a means of breaking up this monopoly. The Royal Agricultural Society of England offered a reward of 1000 guineas and a gold medal to anyone who would discover a manure .equal in fertilising properties to Peruvian guano, and to he sold at a less cost. During .the period J now write of there was an angry corcespondeu.ee between the Qovem-

ments of England and the United States over the right to possession of a deposit of guano on the Isle of Labuan, and the public mind was through these causes much excited, and the morning papers were eagerly scanned by all interested in the results. Now for the discovery. As I have already stated, the writer was staying with Mr Pettitt, C.E. Mrs Pettitt had pickled some sprats in vinegar. The fish were partially dissolved, and this was pointed out at the breakfast table to Mr Pettitt, myself, and others. Now there was not much iv this to arrest attention ; neither was there much to an ordinary mind witnessing an apple fall from a tree, or the identification of serial electricity with that produced in the Leyden jar. Nevertheless from the former was elaborated the universal law of gravitation by Sir Isaac Newton, and Franklin's kite gave nu impetus to thought that has resulted in our telegraphs, telephones, electric lights, and motive power through the same agency. Mr Pettitt reasoned after this fashion — " If a weak acid (vinegur) dissolves a small fish, a stronger acid will do the same to a larger one." The guano bird lives upon fish ; the excrement of the bird forms the guano. What to do is to get all the offal of fish from the curing stations, chemically decompose it, and artificially dry. Thus I'get the guano." Mr Pettitt refused the 1000 guineas and the gold medal of the Royal Agricultural Society. The discovery was worth more to him, especially as the manure had been tested by Prince Albert on his model farm ; by Mr Meehi, of Tiptree Hall ; Commissioner Caird, of Baldoon; and Professor Way, acting for the Royal Agricultural Society of England. When I read your correspondents' letters on the fish supply of New Zealand, I thought what a pity fish manure did not form one of the many avenues to utilise our waste products, and virtually all fish caught would find a market, whether fit for the table or not. I am told it is no unusual thing for fishermen to throw into the sea the surplus takings when the local market is glutted. I have heard of attempts made to make this manure. If anyone takes an intelligent interest in this I can supply the copy of the original patent, and, worked in combination with your contemplated fish company, a commercial success would be a certainty, besides removing the disgrace that attaches to vs — viz., the want of intelligence or enterprise tbat compels us to look to other countries for such table luxuries as potted fish. — I am, &c, James Fousvni. Dowling street, Dunedin, July 18. Mr L. Hotop, Queenstowr, has been appointed a coroner. The Tapanui Courier reports that Mr J. Duff the other day gathered a number of ripe strawberries from his garden near the town. The fruit was fully ripe, of good size, and quite as palatable as in the proper season.