342 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Mr. Meigs read the following article, received since last meeting — ex- 

 tracts prepared by him, viz : 



UNITED STATES GUANO. 



Some time ago the guano of Jarvis' and of Baker's islands, in the Pa- 

 cific Ocean, was dii-covered by an American citizen, and the attention of 

 this Club strongly drawn to it by Mr. Benson, the representative of the 

 discoverer. This Club issued a circular, inviting all the farming interest 

 of our country to join in petitioning our government to examine the islands, 

 and if valuable in guano, and out » f the dominion of any nation, to plant 

 our stars and stripes on them. The government promptly dispatched a 

 frigate to take possession of those islands. They are ours. 



Doubts have subsequently hung over the question of the agricultural 

 value of that guano. But now we have the positive undeniable evidence 

 of their great value, decided by the most honorable and learned chemists 

 of our country, viz: by John C. Draper, Analytical Chemist of the Uni- 

 versity of New York ; by R. Ogden Doremus, Prof, of Analytical Chem- 

 istry of the New York Medical College; by George Scaffor, M. D., and B. 

 Eanueil Craig, M. D., for Jas. Henry, Secretary of the Smithsonian In- 

 stitution. 



The comparison of it with barn yard manure is as follows, in that main 

 point, " phosphate of lime." Barn yard manure in this stands below guano. 



By Prof. Draper : 

 Phosphate and sulphate of lime, , 72.50 



By Prof. Doremus : 

 Sulphate of lime and phosphate 78.75 



Drs. ScafiForth and Craig : 

 Residue of fixed salts, 71.57 



The value of thi^ ingredient to grain crops is fully admitted. The quan- 

 tity of this guano is very great ; and let us remember that in using it we 

 are paying our own people for the ships and the labor, instead of foreigners ; 

 that it is United States guano. H. MEIGS. 



[Sciota Valley Farmer, March 18, 1859.] 



BAKING WITHOUT SCORCHING. 



A bowl with two quarts of water, set in an oven when baking, will pre- 

 vent pies, cakes, &c., from being scorched. Try it, ladies. 



[Ohio Valley Farmer, Cincinnati, April, 1859.] 



Dioscorea Batata, Chinese Yam, is excellent. 



RENOVATION OF PEACH TREES. 

 Remove the soil from around the tree, and put on charcoal. Great reno- 

 Tation. 



[California Farmer, San Francisco, March 5, 1859.] 



Peach in bloom yesterday. Apple buds opening. 



