356 QUARTERLY JOURNAL. 



per ton, for quantities amounting to five tons ; and this may he 

 considered, all things being taken into account, a fair representa- 

 tion of their Value in agriculture. 



The African being soluble to the extent of 40 percent, is better 

 adapted for watering plants, and where very rapid growth is want- 

 ed. The Peruvian, on the other hand, acts for a longer time, and 

 is better calculated for crops which continue to grow vigorously 

 during many weeks. The two will probably produce very similar 

 effects for one crop ; but the Peruvian is much more active on the 

 second crop. 



Crops to which it is Applied. — It is hardly necessary to state, 

 that the application may be made to every crop, for experiments 

 are already multiplied with nearly every common plant or tree : 

 to enumerate a few is sufficient. Wheat, corn, grass, the cerealia, 

 sugar-cane, tobacco, apple, pear, and other fruit trees, flowers, 

 cabbages, turnips, and other cruciferous plants ; the experiments 

 are fewest on leguminous plants. But the effect of guano will 

 not be equal on all j for those plants requiring most stable manure, 

 such as tobacco, turnips, and corn, are more benefited than grass, 

 oats, or such as require less — the chief effect of the manure being 

 due to the quantity of the ammonia it contains. The reason gua- 

 no is serviceable to all plants, arises from its containing every sa- 

 line and organic matter they require as food. 



Kitids of Soil to which it may be Applied. — It has been used 

 beneficially on all soils ; for as it contains every element necessary 

 to plants, it is independent of the quality of the soil — one great 

 point being attended to, that the land be in good tilth ; for, other- 

 wise, the tender roots of the vegetable find an obstruction to free 

 growth, and are crippled. Poor, well-tilled soils exhibit most in- 

 crease by guano, for in them, some essential to the growth of 

 plants is more likely to be absent. 



Amount to he Applied. — On wheat, 250 lbs. per acre will be 

 an average for a fair soil ; 300 lbs. per acre for one that is poor, 

 and 200 for a good soil. Corn, potatoes, turnips, cabbages, and 

 garden vegetables, will require 300 lbs. in fair lands j but the 

 amount may be dimished by 50 lbs., if two applications are made 

 instead of one. For grass, rye, and oats, 200 lbs. will be enough. 



Time and Mode of Applicatio7i. — Seeds may be prepared by 

 soaking in a solution of two lbs. of guano to the gallon of water, 

 and this will answer for a first manuring, if they arc left sufficient- 

 ly long to exhibit signs of germination. Wheat and other small 

 grains should be steeped in this solution about sixty hours, corn 

 about one hundred hours. Thus steeped, the seeds of smut will also 

 be destroyed. Half the quantity per acre to be applied when the 

 plant has fairly started, and is in second leaf. By this timely ad- 

 dition, the effects of many insects arc avoideil, and the seedling at 

 once takes on a robust habit. The remaining half should be ap- 



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