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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5244, 14 January 1878, Page 2

A recent telegram informs us that a firm in this colony has concluded an arrangement with the Government of New Caledonia for the sole right to remove guano from certain islands lying to the north of that island. The value of the islands may be inferred from the fact that representatives of two other firms, one at least of whom was from Melbourne, were at Noumea negotiating with the authorities for the right to remove the guano. Our friends in Victoria plume themselves on their sharpness and great business tact, but in this case they were outbidden, and New Zealand secured the prize. It is scarcely necessary to remind our readers that guano is a most valuable manure, and as such is highly prized by farmers in Britain, Continental Europe, America, and Australia. It is found for the most part on detached and desolate islands around Australia, aud in Polynesia, and, in fact, stretching far north of the equator. There is said to be great numbers of these guano islands situated within a few degrees of the equator, which contain vast stores of this valuable manure. The wuano is composed 1 of the excreta, &c., of myriads of sea-birds, which from time immemorial have resorted to these desolate shores for rest, shelter, and the purposes of reproduction. Here, in the course of centuries, large deposits of i»uano have gradually accumulated, varying indeed from a few inches to several feel in thickness, and in some instances covered with a stratum of surface soil. The value of guano consists in the fact that its manurial properties are ■ present in a concentrated form. A ton of ' this manure will frequently contain more organic matter than 50, or even CO tons of the best farm-yard manure. As a matter of course, this greatly enhances its value, as it can be conveyed by rail or other means to great distances, where ordinary manures would not pay byreason of the expense of carriage. , It is usually sown broadcast upon tho land to the amount of two cwt. or more to the acre, according to the crop, or is drilled in with the seed. There are two descriptions of guano found in various parts of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, technically known as aramoniacal and phosphatic. The former contains, in addition to other constituents, a large percentage of ammonia, which is of the highest value for stimulating tho green tissue of the plant, durirnr the period of growth. In the latteAheve is little or no ammonia, but a very large percentage of soluble phosphates, frequently as high as 70 per cent. These phosphates are of great value to the farmer, as they embody the essential elements of manure, returning to tho soil the very ingredients which the crops take out, constituting the food of plants, and hence are pre-eminently lilted to resuscitate exhausted soils, or to prevent the exhaustion of those that have not yet suonumbed to the too general system of over-cropping. The best aramoniacal guano is found only on the Chincha Islands, and elsewhere off tlie coast of Peru. The other description is found, as we have before stated, on numerous islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The reason assigned for the difference in the quality and constituents of these guanos is as follows : The Peruvian guano has been deposited in a rainless region, and hence its volatile constituents have not been dissipated by moisture, whereas, the other samples, having been subject to continual atmospheric changes, have parted with their less substantial properties. In a commercial point 4 of view the value of the guano trade cannot bo over estimated. The Peruvian Government enjoy a monopoly of the trade on their coast, and some idea of its commercial importance may be gathered from tho fact that tho amount paid in royalty is about £3,000,000 per annum. Frequently one hundred vessels may be seen loading at onetime. Recently immense additional deposits of this article were discovered on tho coast of Peru, but tho precise locality was not stated. Peruvian guano obtains a leady sale in the Australian markets at £lO per ton. For many years past great attention lias been paid to the guano trade in the Australian colonies, especially in Hobartou and Melbourne., There are the AngloAustralian Guano Company in Hobarton, and the Maldon Island Company, having its centre in Melbourne. These com-' panics occupy various islands situated off the coast of Queensland, which they rent from the Imperial Government ; in addition to which there are numerous private persons largely engaged in the trade. The article is sold in the various seaports of Australia at £7 per ton for cash, and £8 credit, the farmers having the right to pay in wheat, at ss. 6d. per bushel, if they prefer to do so. Onr American cousins are not disposed to let tho colonies of Australasia have a monopoly of the trade in guano. Some time since a dispute arose between the colony of Western Australia and the United States relative to the ownership of certain guano islands off tho coast of Western Australia. Tho Americans affirmed that the islands weio, without the bounds proscribed by international law, and that they have never been formally claimed by-, the British Government.; Probably brother Jonathan has other objects in view, but the fact itself is significant, as proving the importance which is attached to the possession of guano deposits. There arc various and weighty reasons why the mercantile community of ; New Zealand should not be behindhand; in securing a share of tlie good things; which Nature has;provided! Asa colony, we 'have shown no lack of- spirit and enterprise. We have in times past grappled with obstacles and encountered difficulties, of no ordinary character. We have passed i through a fierce and deadly; civil war, and peace now reigns where anarchy once prevailed. By roads and railways we are very fast overcoming the impediments to internal communication, the land is being occupied, and the wilderness reclaimed.

These and other matters have tended to divert the attention of our people from many sources of legitimate trade, which only need to be entered upon with spirit and means to result in a real benefit to the colony, and a handsome profit to those immediately engaged in them. We are much mistaken if the guano trade is not one of these profitable enterprises. We have an excellent climate and rich soil, crops can be raised almost for the trouble of ploughing, sowing, and reaping. But, judging from experience (the only true test in such cases), the time is not far distant when many of our broad acres will require the help of manure to enable them to produce as abundantly as heretofore. From the immense area now under cultivation in these islands, and the rapid progress made from year to year in opening up new lands, our consumption of artificial manures must necessarily be enormous before many years are past. Again, artificial manures, from their exceeding fineness, are best adapted for lauds laid down with grass. We make no apology for bringing this matter before our readers. To us it appears to be one of considerable importance, and which will repay the serious attention of those engaged in commerce or agriculture. We would suggest that no time be lost in securing the pre-emptive right to a number of these islands, in order that we may not have to depend upon our neighbors for a supply when needed. And the experience of similar enterprises elsewhere proves that both in a commercial and agricultural point of view it will be a step in' the right direction.