FARMS. 171 



crops ; that if its effects are less permanent than those of other 

 manures, their duration may be proportioned to the expense, 

 while the comparatively small amount of labor required for its 

 application, furnishes an argument in its favor easily appre- 

 ciated by those who pay the present wages of farm help. 



In those places where the least attention is paid to agriculture, 

 of course the least interest is felt in this or any other manure. 

 But where guano is most used it is most highly prized. In 

 one town, a few years ago, two public spirited individuals intro- 

 duced a large amount of guano, which was used Avith satisfac- 

 tory results, but within a year or two, several experiments have 

 been made vfith super-phosphate of lime, in that place, with 

 results still more satisfactory to the parties interested. 



In one town, almost wholly devoted to mechanical pursuits, 

 we could not hear of any person who had used guano. We 

 found, however, an excellent farmer, whose only reason for not 

 using it, was a very good one, namely, that he had a plenty of 

 barnyard manure. 



Not a few are puzzled to understand how three or four hun- 

 dred pounds of guano can maintain land in as good order as the 

 four or five cords of stable manure Avhich they have been hi the 

 habit of using. It is of comparatively little consequence whether 

 the fertilizing properties of manure are distributed through a 

 large or small quantity of matter, provided they are distributed 

 uniformly. If the essential elements of six cords of stable 

 manure could be compressed into one cord, and evenly distribu- 

 ted and buried in the field, the advantages of the manure would 

 be secured at less expense. The mud, straw, hay, leaves, roots, 

 cornstalks and weeds that compose the bulk of the manure, are 

 comparatively inert as fertilizers^ and in the most favorable view, 

 require a long season of fermentation to develop their qualities. 

 They are receptacles of ammonia and other fertilizing agents 

 contained in the solid and liquid animal excrements. Hence, 

 if guano contains these fertilizing properties in a concentrated 

 form, and if it can be furnished and applied cheaper than an 

 equivalent amount of barnyard manure, it will be used in pre- 

 ference. 



The barnyard manure contains all the properties that the 

 crops require. The farmer is satisfied with its operation, and 

 wants nothing better. But he cannot, in ordinary cases, make 



