EXTRACTS FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. 357 



plied to the small grain crops when they are throwing out 

 new stems, or tillering ; to corn, as the tassel appears, or at 

 the second hoeing, and so with other hoed crops. This ap- 

 plication should be made, therefore, at the latest period of 

 working, and as nearly before flowering as practicable. The 

 guano should be sowed with a mixture of fine soil, gypsum or 

 charcoal, to give it bulk, and divide the particles. No lumps 

 should be thrown amongst the plants, for they burn them ; and 

 where an extensive application is to be made, it is better to screen 

 the manure and pound the lumps. In sowing, reach the soil, 

 if possible, for it is unserviceable to sprinkle it on the plants, and 

 frequently destroys them. Select a season when the land is wet 

 or moist, or when rain may be expected ; for in dry weather the 

 guano does not answer well, or even does injury, by acting as a 

 '' caustic on vegetation. But if the crop suits, always prefer manu- 

 ring the plant or hill ; do this whilst hoeing ; less guano is thus 

 ! used, and more certain effects result. One tablespoonful to the 

 i hill of corn, tobacco, potatoes, &c., is an abundance for each ap- 

 j plication. If a solution be preferred, mix one pound in ten gal- 

 j Ions of water, and water sparingly with this on the soil, and not 

 I on the pla7}tSj at the times before mentioned, taking care to stir up 

 I the insoluble portion when applied. For this purpose, the African 

 j variety will be most suitable. Or, where rapid growth is wanted, 

 irrespective of seed, the clear solution may be applied ; the inso- 

 luble matter (phosphates, &c.) being reserved for wheat and corn. 

 Guano may be composted with common soil, or anything but lime 

 and unleached ashes ; for these liberate the free ammonia, and thus 

 diminish the effects of the manure. 



Value, compared with other Manures. — So far as the experi- 

 ments in England and Scotland may be adduced, one cwt. of gua- 

 no is equal to about five tons of farm-yard manure on an average ; 

 but it is much higher for turnips than for grass, &c. It would be 

 advisable that in the very different climate of the United States, 

 comparative experiments be made on this point. Let twenty single 

 cart loads of stable manure be used per acre on wheat, corn, &c., 

 and contrasted with four cwt. of guano. It would also be of ser- 

 vice to the agricultural world, that some experiments were made 

 on the value of the organic and inorganic portions of guano. A 

 plot of ground, eight square yards, may be divided into two parts, 

 one half manured with the ordinary guano, and half with the 

 ashes remaining after burning. In this way, the proportionate ef- 

 fect of the organic and saline parts would be estimated, and the 

 conclusion be serviceable, insomuch as the saline matters can be mix- 

 ed into a compost for a trifling sum, and thus the expense of gua- 

 no avoided. D. P. Gardner, M. D. 



J\''otice. — This publication is made by the American Agricultural 

 Association, not that parties may be induced to purchase guano, 



