50 TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 



SECTION X. 



On Guona or Sea-fotcl Dung — and Experiments on the Culture of Mangel 

 Wurzel. Communicated in a Letter to .SjV Joseph Banks, Bart. 



To the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, K. B. President of the Royal Society. 

 Sir, 



Being much indebted to you for a Communication on the 

 subject of Guana, or Sea-fowl Dung, which first led to its being- 

 noticed as a manure on this island, I beg leave to present you 

 with the accompanying " Remarks on the Culture of Mangel 

 Wurzel;" in which you will have the gratification of observing 

 the very powerful effect of the Guana, when contrasted with hog's 

 DUNG and ASHES, or with land un manured. 



I have the honour to be, with great respect, 



Sir, 

 Your most obedient humble Servant, 



ALEXANDER BEATSON. 



St. Helena, 15 tk October, 1811. 



Remarks on the Culture o/" Mangel Wurzel in the Island of 



St. Helena. 



My attention was accidentally directed to the culture of 

 mangel wurzel, which is the white or sugar beet, lately so 

 celebrated in Prussia, by observing the rapid vegetation of its 

 leaves, and the frequent cuttings obtained from some plants that 

 were set out on the 6th February from a seed-bed sown on the 

 3d January, 1809 : but it was not until the 21st of June following 



