86 ON fiUANO. 



to select, and less to reject ; hence, there is no necessity to have them 

 of so large a size as where much exertion of these functions is 

 required. The seed will also be larger and in greater quantity. 



" We shall forbear to enter on the chemical analysis of Guano ; it 

 is more our province to show its effects, and to inform our readers 

 how it may be most efficiently employed in horticulture. We have in 

 progress various experiments to assist in proving its value ; and, as 

 far as these have gone, they have in general been most satisfactory. 

 We have already proved that it may be used too freely, and that 

 injury may be thereby produced. In a liquid state (four ounces to a 

 gallon of water), applied twice a-week for three weeks, to beds of 

 strawberries, it has occasioned an amazing growth of foliage and 

 blossoms, but its influence on the crop of fruit remains to be seen. 

 On the other hand, a bed of seedling Alpine strawberry plants, which 

 had been up about a month, was thinly sprinkled with unmixed 

 Guano in powder, and it destroyed every plant where it was applied. 

 The half of a bed of Onions, which were six inches high, was 

 sprinkled over a month ago with pure Guano, at the rate of two 

 ounces to every square yard, being upwards of five cwt. to the acre; 

 the season has been rainy, and the Onions treated with Guano are 

 double the size of those not so treated. Potatoes, which were six 

 inches high, had Guano sprinkled along the rows, amongst their 

 stems, at the rate of an ounce and a half to every yard ; and these 

 are now (five weeks subsequently) far superior to those in parts of 

 the rows purposely left without Guano. Nine parts of light soil were 

 mixed with one of Guano, and half a spadeful of the compost was put 

 into each of the holes regularly made to receive it, in a prepared bed 

 of light soil ; in the midst of the compost in each hole a plant of 

 Brussels sprouts was put, and then well watered. This was done a 

 month ago, and at the present time more than half the plants have 

 dwindled and died. Geraniums w r ere watered at intervals of a week, 

 five times only in the whole, with Guano water, four ounces to the 

 gallon of water ; their leaves began to curl, and, although the use of 

 the liquid Guano had been discontinued two months, it is unlikely 

 that the plants will recover till they are potted in fresh soil. Plants 

 of various sorts, in pots, watered only with Guano water, half an 

 ounce to a gallon, have flourished astonishingly — none have failed. 

 These are lessons which cannot be mistaken." — Hovey's Magazine. 



