408 AGRICULTURE. 



seasons, than we had ever known it before. We have also recom- 

 mended it as an autumnal manure for enfeebled fruit trees (turning 

 it under the surface at once with a spade), and find it wonderfully 

 improved in luxuriance and vigor. In short, our observations for 

 the past two years have firmly 'convinced us, that in all parts of the 

 country, where the climate is hot and dry from June to October, 

 guano should be used in the autumn. Applied at that season, and 

 turned under the surface by the plough or spade, so as not to waste 

 its virtues in the air, or by surface rains, its active qualities are gra- 

 dually absorbed by the soil, and, so far from being lost, are only 

 rendered more completely soluble, and ready for feeding the plants 

 when the spring opens. 



Guano, applied as a top-dressing, or near the surface, in the 

 spring, is undoubtedly a manure of little permanence, generally 

 lasting only one season ; for it always loses much of its virtue in the 

 atmosphere. But when buried beneath the surface, it becomes in- 

 corporated with the soil, and its good effects last several seasons. 



The common rate of manuring farm lands is three hundred 

 pounds of guano to the acre. But when old gardens are to be ma- 

 nured, or worn-out orchards or fruit-yards renovated, we find six 

 hundred pounds a better dressing. We would recommend its use 

 at any time between the present moment and the frosts of winter. 

 It should be spread evenly over the surface, and immediately turned 

 at least three inches below it. 



At the present price of guano, it is certainly the cheapest of all 

 manures to be bought in the market ; and as it is undeniably richer 

 in all the elements necessary for most crops than any other single 

 substance, it deserves to have a more thorough trial at the hands of 

 the American public. We commend it anew to all those who have 

 once failed, and beg them to try it once more, using it in the 

 autumn. 



The large proportion of phosphate of lime which exists in Peru- 

 vian guano, makes it very valuable for fruit-growers ; and a good 

 dressing of guano so that it visibly covers the surface under each 

 tree dug under during the month of November, will certainly give 

 a most thrifty and healthy start to the next season's growth, as well 

 as prepare the tree for the highest state of productiveness. The 



