30b PRACTICAL GARDENING. 



which a substance hke guano can be adulterated by aid of 

 loams of a corresponding brown tint, we perceive that the 

 utmost caution is required. 



PERUVIAN MODES OP APPLYING GUANO. 



This is a consideration of great moment, and demands the 

 testimonial of a genuine authority. Such is ]\Ir. "Walton. 

 He says : " Their green crops, such as maize, millet, culinary 

 vegetables, and esculent roots, were dibbled, and a small 

 quantity of guano thrown into the bottom of each hole, which 

 was sprinkled with light earth before the seeds and tubers 

 were dropped, and then covered. As the growth of the plant 

 developed itself, more guano was diffused, as near to the roots 

 as possible ; but in each operation the essential requieite of 

 watering was never omitted. 



" With the aid of guano, and acting upon these principles, 

 on a limited surface, the Peruvians were enabled to raise 

 sufficient subsistence for a large community ; and in conse- 

 quence of the slow and gradual solubility in the soil of those 

 essential salts contained in the natural manure when not 

 exposed to the air, and which give to its effects a durability 

 possessed by no other compound, — as previously stated, the}^ 

 permanently cultivated the same lands without any variation 

 of crops. Potatoes, maize, and millet constituted the principal 

 food of the Andes tribes, and these they raised to the greatest 

 perfection. Europe is, in fact, indebted to them for these 

 three valuable articles of food." 



linear Arica, according to M. D'Orbigny, the grounds are 

 fertilized by small irrigating canals, which give to the sand 

 mixed with guano the moisture requisite to increase the pro- 

 duce a hundred fold. He says : " I was astonished to see so 

 beautiful and permanent a crop of maize, and more especially 

 of the red pepper, which constitutes the principal commerce 

 carried on in these valleys, whence the growers send it off to 

 all parts in the interior of Bolivia." 



Enough has now been advanced to prove the excellence of 

 guano in its own chmate. Its animal origin and immensely 

 fertilising qualities are credibly affirmed : and it therefore 

 remains to investigate its qualities in the condition wherein 

 we receive it, when in the state of the utmost attainable 

 purity. 



Dr. ITre's analysis is very good authority so far as it goes. 



