GUANO. 489 



Jouhnal of Agriculture — not by any means because they are our friends — for 

 we trust we have many who are not subscribers yeL — but, we infer, because they 

 make heavy crops I ! But, all jesting apart, we should be glad to have the state- 

 ments of the average of staple crops in other States, on the most reliable data, 

 together with the general price of land and labor. We confess we are per- 

 suaded that most of those who think of moving from the old States had better 

 let very well alone, and turn to improving their own land — planting orchards, 

 improving their stock, repairing their buildings, retrciiching expenses, and espe- 

 cially to the establishment of belter systems of education ; and let them mind first 

 to elect thinkin<r, capable men for their Legislatures, and then take care who are 

 put on the Committees on Education and Agricullure ! 



GUANO. 



HOW, AND FOR WHAT, AND IN WHAT MANNER TO BE USED. 



We are not advised of the general results of the use of this substance in the 

 United States during the last year. The truth is that our country is deficient in 

 the means of making general reports, such as are more easily prepared and pub- 

 lished with much usefulness to the public in other countries. In the first place, 

 our dominion is too extensive, and then we are deficient in the organized institu- 

 tions for the benefit of Agriculture thai exist and faithfully sympathize and coop- 

 erate with each other for common welfare in other countries. 



The first difficulty is likely to be increased ; for we are expanding, ad infinilum. 

 Otherwise, and even as it is, there are reasons to hope that the last-named ob- 

 stacle is being diminished, and that the cultivators of the soil are gradually com- 

 ing to a better understanding with each other in all that relates to their charac- 

 ter and concerns, political and practical. But all depends on a reform, gradual 

 though it be, in our systems of education, adapting them expressly to the agricul- 

 turist's own pursuits. 



We believe — (and, on this subject at least, we may be allowed, without being 

 considered an intruder, to entertain an opinion) — we believe that failures in the 

 use of guano have proceeded, in our country, principally from two causes : 



1. Sufficient care has not been taken to prevent all actual contact between it 

 and the seed of the crop to which it has been applied. 



2. It has not had the benefit of a certain degree of moisture, which seems to be 

 indispensable to the development of its fertilizing powers — and this has resulted 

 from the natural dryness of our climate compared with that of England, where 

 it continues to give satisfaction, aggravated by exposing the guano loo near the 

 surface, which is fatal to its operation unless it be a wet season. 



Mr. McHenry, an enterprising (in a word, a thinking) farmer of Maryland, as 

 has been already stated, is a decided advocate of the use of guano, after many 

 trials, and he spreads and plows it in for corn : and we see it stated in the pro- 

 ceedings of that old, persevering, zealous and efficient Farmers' Club of iS'ewcas- 

 tle county, Del., that Mr. Jones, of Wheatland, intends to follow that practice; 

 and it may be added that his purchase of eighteen tons for use this year, is a 

 fact of no little significance in its favor. 



It is scarcely necessary to repeat that, besides that it combines in a very pe- 



(looy) 



