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pg a046a: Second annual report of the Geological Survey of Texas Publication 5235917-2

46

FERTILIZERS.

Under this heading might well be included everything that can be applied to a soil for its amelioration or the increase of its fertility. This would therefore, in its widest application, embrace even the addition of sands to clay soils of such sticky character as our famous black waxy. The deposits, however, which will be mentioned here are Apatite, Bat Guano, Gypsum, Glauconite (or Greensand Marl), Chalk Marl, Limes, and Clays.

APATITE.

This mineral, which is a phosphate of lime, has as yet only been found in very small quantities in Texas. Its value as a fertilizer is due to its contents of phosphoric acid, and if it can be discovered in any quantity will be of very considerable value in connection with the greensand and other marls in sandy lands low in that essential element. Phosphate of lime is also the chief constituent of bone, and any deposits of this character will also prove of value. As yet known no deposits rich in phosphatic material have been found in Texas.

BAT GUANO.

As a fertilizer Bat Guano occupies a place second to nothing, except it be the Peruvian guano. Its great value as a fertilizer is due to its salts of ammonia, potash, and phosphorus. It is found in caves in Williamson, Burnet, Lampasas, Llano, Gillespie, Blanco, Bexar, and other counties of Texas in great quantities. It varies greatly in quality. Many of the caves are so situated that water has access to the beds, and parts of the valuable salts of ammonia are dissolved and carried off. In others, fires have by some means got started and immense bodies of the guano burned. Many analyses have been made from different caves, and large quantities of it have been shipped, but the present lack of railroad facilities in the vicinity of the deposits has prevented their successful working.

Analyses of guano from Burnet and Gillespie counties gave a value of over $50 per ton.

GYPSUM.

As a top dressing for many crops Gypsum is of great use, and when ground for this purpose is known as land plaster. Ground Gypsum is also an excellent deodorizer.