Peruvian and Bolivian Guano. 69 



ent, J. S. Skinner, Esq., of Washington, formerly editor of 

 the Amei^ican Farmer. 



Mr. Skinner paid a visit to our State the last autumn, and he 

 introduces many instances of the industry of our population, 

 both in manufactures and the agricultural art. The conclu- 

 sion of the address is devoted to a notice of Guano, which is 

 now attracting the attention of the farming public ; and data 

 are given by which is shown the economy of using this valu- 

 able fertilizer. 



Art. III. Peruvian and Bolivian Giumo, its nature and 

 properties, and results, with an account of authentic experi- 

 ments made with it in Great Britain, France and America, 

 together loith instructions for its use. Pamp. 8vo., pp. 32. 

 Baltimore, 1844. 



No subject has recently attracted more attention among 

 agriculturists and cultivators of plants, than Guano. It is 

 now but little more than a year since it was first introduced 

 into this country, except in very small quantities, and the re- 

 sults which have thus far been obtained, have been so favor- 

 able, that they have already created a demand for this valu- 

 able manure. Until recently, the supply of Guano has been 

 wholly from the coast of Peru ; but the late discovery of it at 

 Ichiboe, on the coast of Africa, has increased the supply, and 

 by lessening the price, created a greater demand, and conse- 

 quently a much greater consumption of the article, and it 

 has now established itself as the most powerful fertilizer 

 that can be applied to the soil. 



The statements which were first given to the public re- 

 specting its application, were so various and conflicting, that 

 many cultivators were prejudiced against its use. A course 

 of actual experiments was necessary to convince the skepti- 

 cal of its great importance and value. This led to the publi- 

 cation of several pamphlets, in which the analysis of the 

 Guano was given, and the results of accurate trials on vari- 

 ous crops, set forth. Such a collection of facts, from experi- 



