IXPERIMENT WITH GUANO. 107 



it, and indeed all of these powerful fertilizers, is at 

 the rate of from 1 to 2 cwt. per acre, together with 

 half the usual quantity of barnyard manure. The 

 supply of organic matter in the soil is thus kept up, 

 while large crops are at the same time obtained. 



It is a good plan, in the case of winter grain, to 

 sow on 1 cwt. when the grain is sown, and 1 cwt. in 

 the spring as a top dressing. In sowing, it is best to 

 mix with ashes, sawdust, peat, etc. The effect of 

 guano is not usually perceptible after the second year; 

 and if the first season be favorable, its most decided 

 action is in the first year. 



1 have recommended that experiments be tried in 

 dissolving guano, or at least its phosphates, in sulphu- 

 ric acid. The same superphosphate would be formed 

 as by its action upon bones. Ten or fifteen lbs. of 

 acid, to 100 lbs. of guano, would be sufficient. A 

 smaller qantity of guano might in this way be ex- 

 pected to produce an equal effect. It is quite liable 

 to adulteration, and should only be bought warranted 

 as to its purity, that the farmer may have a remedy in 

 a case of disappointment arising from its poor quality. 

 This is a good rule to apply to all of these high 

 priced manures. 



SECTION III. OF FISH MANURES. 



Another animal manure is fish, and one which is of 

 very great value to districts near the sea. In many 

 waters, white fish and other varieties are caught in 

 immense numbers for this purpose alone; in other 

 places large quantities of refuse, the heads and clean- 

 ings, can be had. These are all extremely valuable. 

 On Chesapeake Bay, in Maryland, the farmers collect 

 this refuse from the fisheries with great eagerness, and 

 cart it many mile? inland. In other sections it is 

 neglected entirely. 



