Genuine bone-dust contains about 48 per cent. of phosphate of lime, and yields about 4 per cent. of ammonia, and no appreciable amount of sulphate of lime. Good bone-dust at present, I believe, cannot be bought for less than 81. 8s. per ton. The bone-dust sent to me by Mr. Broughton was mixed with boiled bones, to which frequently sulphuric acid is added for the purpose of arresting decomposition.

JUNE.

There is at the present time need of very great caution in the purchase of Peruvian guano. Samples have been forwarded to Professor Voelcker from all parts of England; for instance, from Devonshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, and Surrey; in each of which the guano, although in some cases coming direct from the importers, and being genuine Peruvian guano, was damaged by sea-water, contained a considerable proportion of sand and rock, and was inferior in value to the best samples by 50s. to 60s. per ton. The great number of these guanos that have been forwarded for analysis, prove the truth of the warning given earlier in the year, that the qualities of guano now arriving are so variable and uncertain, that great caution is necessary making purchases of this manure. The following are examples of such inferior guanos::

in

This guano was sold as "best Peruvian guano," at 147. 2s. 6d. per ton. It is, however, not best Peruvian guano, for it is damaged by sea-water, contains too much sand (rock), and yields only 12 per cent. of ammonia, and is worth about 21. less per ton than Peruvian of average quality.

This guano was bought at the full market price of 147. 5s. cash. It is genuine, but damaged by water, and worth about 25s. to 30s. less per ton than good Peruvian guano.

The bulk of this guano was delivered in a very damp state, and with a quantity of stone. The quality was guaranteed firstclass Peruvian guano, and the price charged 147. per ton. It is genuine Peruvian guano damaged by water, and, apart from the larger stones, contains 12 per cent. of fine siliceous matter (rock), and yields only 113 per cent. of ammonia, instead of 14 to 15 per cent., which Peruvian guano of good quality at present contains,

on an average.

The Committee next direct attention to the following analysis, showing the composition of a sample of British guano, sent to Dr. Voelcker by Mr. H. Robbins, Northfield Farm, Witney :

This so-called guano is sold as Pound's British Guano, at High Street Bromley, Bow, E., at 37. 10s. per ton, and is described by the maker as "an extraordinary scientific combination of night-soil, sulphate of lime, and bones, possessing immense body, which gives it great durability and feeding power, whilst no known manure can compare with it in quantity of fixed ammonia." The preceding analysis, however, shows that the sample sent to Mr. Robbins contains merely a fraction of 1 per cent. of ammonia and phosphate of lime, and is all but worthless as an artificial manure. Its strong smell is chiefly due to

animal or bone-oil.

As an instance of the caution that is requisite on the part of agents for the sale of manures, the Committee wish to call atten2 G

VOL. VI.-S. S.

tion to the following case, in which the son of a farmer was about to become agent for a manure known as the British Economical Manure. Before undertaking this agency he was requested by a friend, who had formerly purchased the manure, to have an analysis of the article, and accordingly Mr. H. Allen, Stephen of Eastover, Andover, forwarded a sample to Dr. Voelcker, which was analysed with the following results :

Composition of a sample of British Economical Manure, sent by Mr. Stephen H. Allen, Eastover, near Andover, sold at 121. per ton by B. Coveney, 17, Devonshire Square, Bishopsgate Street, E.C.:

This

The proprietor of the British Economical Manures states in his prospectus that 1 to 12 cwt. per acre has been found in results equal to 3 cwt. of the best Peruvian guano, and cautions farmers not to apply more than 1 to 12 cwt. to the acre. caution is very appropriate, for a compound like the Economical Manure, which contains no intrinsically valuable fertilising matter, and which is a mixture of cheap saline matter with green vitriol—a constituent inimical to vegetation-is certain to do injury if it be used in quantities in which Peruvian guano and other concentrated artificial manures are usually employed.

In corroboration of the above, the following analysis of another sample of the same manure, which was sent by M. G. W. Hicks, Hillgrove, Wells, Somerset, may be quoted :

Both samples are worthless as manure.

Many samples of superphosphate, which contain either no

bone whatever, or but very little, are sold this season professing to be made from bone. The following case is an illustration of this fact:

Composition of a sample of Superphosphate advertised as made from bone, sent by Mr. S. Browne, Brockton, near Shifnal, Salop, bought from Mr. George Dawler, Plume Works, Aston, Birmingham, at 71. per ton:

Practically this bone-superphosphate contained no bone, but was a badly made coprolite superphosphate, containing only 21 per cent. of soluble phosphate. It would be dear at 31. 3s. per ton.

Cake is often sold as genuine linseed-cake, which is either made from inferior and undressed seed, or it is mixed with other articles. The following is a good example of one of these cases. Mr. Dudfield, of Catsley, Bewdley, forwarded a sample of cake branded " genuine," bought from Mr. Firmston, Stourbridge, price 107. 15s. per ton, and manufactured by Walker and Smith, of Hull. The analysis is as follows:

This cake was found to be made of dirty linseed, and to be mixed with earth-nut cake. A correspondence on the subject with Mr. Dudfield ensued, and the Committee think it right to that gentleman and the manufacturers to publish the last letter received from him :—

"Catsley, Bewdley, April 15, 1870. "DR. VOELCKER, DEAR SIR.-I have to thank you for yours of the 13th inst., and also for other communications, but I have not to thank you for any information tending to lead me as to the relative value of the cake you analysed for me; and 1 beg to say that it is not my wish that any publicity should be given in this matter; or if it is, it must be on your own, or the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society's account-the parties I bought the cake from having amicably settled the matter with me, and the makers, Messrs. Walker and Smith, having accounted for the error and shown every courtesy in the matter.—I am. &c., "BENJ. DUDFIELD."

Another sample was forwarded by Mr. Hudson, of Castleacre, bought of Messrs. Marston, of King's Lynn, as genuine linseedcake, at 107. 15s., of which the analysis is as follows:

This cake was found to be mixed with earth-nut cake, and although it was by no means a bad feeding cake, it should not have been sold as genuine linseed-cake.

Other cases of adulteration have occurred, in some of which the Professor has been able to prevent loss to the purchasers; but the Committee regret to find that many farmers are unwilling to give up the names of the dealers, resting satisfied with the settlement made in their individual cases.

XXIV.-Report of the Governors of the Royal Veterinary College to the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society.

THE Governors of the Royal Veterinary College would have transmitted their Report to the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society at an earlier period, but for several unforeseen circumstances, among which was the receipt by them of a communication from the Council calling attention to the terms of the alliance which has so long, and to the public so advantageously, existed between the two institutions. The governors have replied by endeavour