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EDITOE'S TABLE. 



speculation. On the conti-ary, it is as plain and intelligible as any book can possibly be, 

 and treats the all-important questions concerning the composition, relative value, and mode 

 of applying the various substances used as fertilizers, in such a way as every fai-mer and 

 gardener can perfectly well understaud and appreciate. 



No sensible man, who cultivates the soil, will say, " I do not need snch a book, I know 

 all about manures." If we heard any one say so, we should fear that he was hopelessly 

 ignorant ; for however old, or wise, or experienced we are, we have much to learn ; and in 

 regard to the best and most economical manners and modes of applying manure in such a way 

 as wOl best promote the growth of the various field and garden products, we have nearly 

 everything to learn. We have looked through but two or three chapters of this book, yet 

 we have gleaned a few very useful hints that we shall soon can-y into practice. 



The following extract in relation to guano conveys an idea of the simple and practical 

 character of the work : 



" For a thorough manuring, the average reckoning is 4 cwt. of guano to the Saxon acre, or a 

 full 2 cwt. to the Prussian Moi-gen.* Yet tliis amount, according to climate and soil, more par- 

 ticularly in mountainous districts, is frequently exceeded ; while, on the contrary, a less quantity 

 may be sufficient where climate and soil are peculiarly favorable. 



"On the mode of application f the following remarks must be made. First, the guano must be 

 prepared This preparation is very simple, and consists in reducing it to a homogeneous, pulveru- 

 lent mass, and mixing it with earth. The first is effected upon a barn floor, by siftino' and thresh- 

 ing. The finer portion is first sifted off; then the remaining lumps and fragments of larger size 

 are threshed, and again sifted, until they are likewise converted into powder. The last portions 

 of the residue are often so yielding and viscid, that they flatten upon being struck with the flail, 

 and will not pass through the sieve. In this event they may be either beaten together with a 

 brick or stone, by which means they are easily reduced to powder or they may be added to the 

 compost heaps which are absent on no good farm. The sifted guano should now be mini-led with 

 from twice to three times the same quantity of earth, oi" with a mixture of earth and ashes, and 

 the whole shovelled together, until a thorough and entirely uniform mixture is eft'eeted. The 

 earth must possess the ordinary state of moisture, in which it easily absorbs the guano without 

 forming into balls or lumps. It is a good plan to make the mixture at least from foxu- to six days 

 before it is scattered over the soil ; and still better to undertake its preparation at a convenient 

 time, before work presses on the farm, for it very often happens that forming labor is crowded 

 into sowing time, and the mixture of the guano with earth is then executed hastily and unsys- 

 tematically, or perhaps not at all, the consequences of which are very injurious. If, however, the 

 mixture is already at hand, these prejudicial consequences are avoided. The scattering in the field 



"* Literally, as much land as a man can plow in a momiDg; — about an English acre. 



"t It would not be proper to pass over this mode of preparation without some further notice. 



" If a glass rod moistened with muriatic acid be held an inch distant from the surface of a sancerful of Pemrian 

 guano just taken from the bag in which it is imported, a white cloud will be immetiiately perceived. This is Cjrmcd 

 by the union of the ammonia rising up and evaporating from the guano with the fumes f>f the muriatic acid, render- 

 ing it manifest that ammonia escapes from guano very readily at the usual temperature of Uie atmosphere, — of course 

 more abundantly in hot than in cold weather. Hence it is evident that the exposure during the pounding and fre- 

 quent sifting here recommended must be very injurious to the guano, and cause the loss of much of its mo6t valuable 

 ingredient. 



" It is much preferable to start the bags on the barn-yard floor, and, after spreading out the guano an inch thict 

 quiclcly to cover it with powdered charcoal or flue burnt bone-black, the refuse of sugar refineries, or with drj- gyp- 

 sum, or with clay which has been rendered friable by exposure to frost and then broken up and dried moderately, or 

 witli all these substances together ; thus spread layer upon layer alternately, and finish by covering up with the 

 empty bags, and putting over these a final coating of any of these absorbing substances. In this way the ammonia 

 will suffer very little diminution, and the mi-xture will be suflleiently incorporated when taken on the land, and 

 plowed or drilled in, without the labor and loss attendant on turning over. The small lumps may be left in without 

 prejudice; the few large ones may bo easily separated by hand, and broken afterwards. — J. E. T. 



