388 Transactions of the American Institute. 



the manure to be applied is coarse, let the ground be plowed shal- 

 low; and follow the common plow with the subsoil plow, for the 

 purpose of keeping the best soil at the surface of the ground. If 

 the fertilizing material is in such a condition that it can be harrowed 

 in, the better way is to spread it on the surface after the ground is 

 plowed. Adjourned. 



January 14, 1868. 

 Mr. Nathan C. Ely in the chair; Mr. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



USE OF GUANO IN VIEGIXIA. 



Mr. W. G. Pearse, Petersburg, Va. — As some of the members 

 of the Club have expressed the opinion that the use of guano 

 impoverishes the soil, and as the same opinion is very generally 

 entertained by those acquainted only with the theory of its action, 

 I wish to enter my protest against its entire or unqualified correct- 

 ness. I do not assert that when applied for the purpose of obtain- 

 ing a crop of grain only, the soil derives any permanent benefit 

 from its application, but I am satisfied that, when properly used, 

 it is the cheapest and most economical fertilizer for the worn-out 

 soils of this latitude within our reach. My plan is as follows: 

 After the crop of wheat — which is my leading crop — to which it 

 has been applied, has been removed, I turn in the stubble — sow peas, 

 buckwheat, or anything that will grow — fallow that in with another 

 dressinof of sfuano — sow to wheat aa^ain in October. Continue this 

 process year after year, until the ground will bring a good crop 

 of clover, then seed with clover in February or March — allowing 

 it to grow until the next year — then cut the first crop or growth 

 of clover for hay, and fallow in the second growth, which will be 

 in the proper state in July, and sow again to wheat. After securing 

 a clover fallow, I discontinue the use of guano, but apply lime, 

 marl, ashes, or other alkaline substances instead. By this plan our 

 worn-out lauds can be surely and cheaply renovated, and brought 

 to a high state of productiveness. Any man of ordinary intelli- 

 gence and moderate means can practice it to any extent, as each 

 crop will more than pay its cost. I will state one fact about clover 

 that is peculiar to this section, or at least does not exist in the 

 Northern States. We never have to sow clover seed but once on 

 the same land. The seed that is fallowed in will remain in the 



