GUANO. 



by my analysis, made for the Ameri- 

 can Agricultural Association of New- 

 York, the Peruvian contains. 



Uric acid 10-5 



Ammonia 190 



Phosphoric acid 140 



Linic atid magnesia IG'O 



Salts of soda and potash .... 60 

 Oxalic acid, with carbonic and mu- 

 riatic acids 13"0 



Water 13 



Sand 20 



Volatile and organic matters . . . 6'5 



10000 



The African, from Ichaboe, 



Ammonia 13'5 



Humic acid 4 



Phosphates 250 



Oxalic. &c., acids 200 



Salts of soda, &c 70 



Water and volatile matter .... 27-5 



Sand 3.0 



loiNJO 



These examinations indicate fair 

 samples : the African seldom con- 

 tains uric acid, and is therefore infe- 

 rior, especially in the permanence of 

 its effects. Uric acid, in its decay, 

 produces carbonates of ammonia. 

 The African is, however, most solu- 

 ble, and acts rapidly. The speci- 

 mens are to be valued by the amount 

 ofammonia they yield in decay. Gua- 

 no sells at from $35 to $50 the ton, 

 and is now somewhat extensively 

 used. 



The African being soluble to the 

 extent of 40 percent., is better adapt- 

 ed for watering plants, and where 

 very rapid growth is wanted. The 

 Peruvian, on the other hand, acts for 

 a longer time, and is better calculated 

 for crops which continue to grow vig- 

 orously during many weeks. The 

 two will probably produce very sim- 

 ilar effects for one crop ; but the Pe- 

 ruvian is much more active on the 

 second crop. 



Crops to which it may be applied. — 

 It is hardly necessary to state that 

 the apphcation may be made to ev- 

 ery 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, coffee, 

 apple, pear, and other fruit trees, flow- 

 ers. cabbages, turnips, and other cru- 

 ciferous plants ; the experiments are 

 354 



fewest on leguminous plants. But 

 the clfcct of guano will not be equal 

 on all ; 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 am- 

 monia it contains. The reason gua- 

 no is serviceable to all plants ari- 

 ses from its containing every saline 

 and organic matter they require as 

 food. 



Kinds of Soil to which it may he 

 applied. — It is used beneficially on 

 all soils ; for, as it contains every 

 element necessary to plants, it is in- 

 dependent 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 vegeta- 

 ble find an obstruction to free growth, 

 and are crippled. Poor, well-tilled 

 soils exhibit most increase by guano, 

 for in them some essential to the 

 growth of plants is more likely to be 

 absent. 



Amount to be applied. — On wheat 

 250 pounds per acre will be an aver- 

 age for a fair soil, 300 pounds per 

 acre for one that is poor, and 200 for 

 a good soil. Corn, potatoes, turnips, 

 cabbages, and garden vegetables will 

 require 300 pounds on fair lands ; but 

 the amount may be diminished by 50 

 pounds if two applications are made 

 instead of one. For grass, rye, and 

 oats 200 pounds will be enough. 



Time and Mode of Application. — 

 Seeds may be prepared by soaking in 

 a solution of a quarter of a pound of 

 guano to the gallon of water, and this 

 will answer for a first manuring, if 

 they are left sufficiently long to ex- 

 hibit 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 to 

 be used when the plant has fairly 

 started, and is in second leaf By 

 this timely addition, the effects of 

 many insects are avoided, and the 

 seedling at once takes on a robust 

 habit. The remaining half should be 



