MANURES. 207 



acre. Value of tliree-foiirtlis ton of liay, less expense of cut- 

 ting, say 18. Cost of guano, 215 lbs. at $G5 per ton, $7 ; 

 making an actual profit of one-eightli, besides the increased 

 quality of hay on the same land. 



I also measured off thirty square rods from another part of 

 the same lot and applied at the rate of 160 lbs. of guano to the 

 acre — or one pound to the square rod. Tlie result was similar 

 to the foregoing, with tliis difference, that the quantity of grass 

 was proportionally less. It is my opinion tliat 250 lbs. of 

 guano to the acre is the minimum quantity that should Ijc applied 

 to produce the most profit — except in raising Inickvvheat, whicli 

 will be spoken of hereafter. 



The second crop, or rowen, on the above mentioned land was 

 but slightly increased where the guano was applied. And on 

 examining the mowing land this year, where guano was applied 

 last year, I found the grass to be no lietter than on the adjoin- 

 ing land ; and I find with other crops, on land where guano 

 was used last year, only a small increase — but not enough to 

 produce much profit. 



2. Guanu on Buckwheat. By my experiments last year, 1 

 find guano to be more profitable for buckwheat than any other 

 crop ; and the same is true this year. 



I have a piece of poor, sandy plain land, which was last year 

 sown with buckwheat and 100 lbs. of guano to the acre, and it 

 produced a very good crop. I sowed the same land, two and 

 one-fourth acres, with buckwheat tlie last of June, this year, 

 and applied to it — harrowing it in with the buckwheat — the 

 small quantity of 50 lbs. of guano to the acre. The result was 

 a good growtli of stalks and a middling crop of buckwheat ; 

 but not as good as last year, owing to the unfavorable state of 

 the weatlier. A blast, early in September, reduced the quantity 

 of grain at least one-third. 



I have tluis arrived at the conclusion that on quite poor and 

 worn-out land, the application of 50 lbs. of Peruvian guano, 

 costing f 1.62, to the acre, will produce good crops for a series 

 of years. A larger quantity than 50 to 75 lbs. to the acre will 

 prove injurious — making too much straw and consequently less 

 grain. 



3. Guano on Potatoes. In May I planted potatoes on old 

 pasture land of moderate quality. On a part of it I manured 



