Toasts were drunk, cheers raised, and the flag planted, all whilst ankle-deep in the guano of a resident penguin colony.
Although developments in chemistry would displace the need for guano within two decades, the desire for guano was then very striking.
Businessmen from several nations had explored the possibility of extracting guano from these islets, which were known for a fabulous bird life.
Unfortunately, the locally available guano was not included in these studies.
Commercially available sources of nutrients that are permitted for organic agriculture are biofertilizers, bat guano and rock-phosphate.
I did not see the least sign of guano on the top of the island.
After this episode, the businessmen seem to have lost interest in the guano.
In general dry places harboured the guano with the most ammonia.
