438 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



other method on record. And if an almost inappreciable amount 

 of nitrate of soda could be dissolved in water intended for irriga- 

 tion the improvement to growing crops would be fully equal to 

 30 per cent. The supply of this substance is inexhaustible in 

 Peru, and might be imported here probably for twenty-jBve dol- 

 lars per ton. A cargo of this invaluable fertilizer was in 1820 

 sent to England from South America, and there thrown overboard 

 for want of a purchaser, since which period twenty-five millions 

 of dollars have been paid for it. I tried two experiments to test 

 Its value as compared with guano on grass land, and found it 

 superior ; and one on oats, where it was inferior. I likewise 

 discovered by experiment, that masses of superphosphate of lime, 

 produced far better effects when diluted with irrigating water, 

 than in a dry state; and also that a mixture of common salt with 

 gu^ino before it is used in the irrigating stream, appears to fix the 

 ammonia and produce far better effects on contiguous pieces of 

 land than guano alone. Though out of place, I still will state in 

 this connexion, that guano when exposed loses its nitrogen, am- 

 monia, &c., very rapidly, and should be mixed as soon as received 

 on the farm with salt or charcoal dust, which will preserve it. 



From numerous experiments that I have tried, my conviction 

 is strong that vast amounts of ammonia are concealed in the earth 

 in combination with organic acids, awaiting the ingenuity of man 

 to make it available to the growth of plants, and I have succ^ded 

 by mixing blood with my irrigation water, which creates fermen- 

 tation, or excites some chemical action by which large quantities 

 of ammonia are liberated. And I can n6w, notwithstanding the 

 practice has been unconditionally condemned by scientific agri- 

 culturists, grow a cereal crop annually, or any other crop in fact, 

 by a proper selection of irrigating ingredients. I likewise use 

 in my water the elements of farinaceous and albuminous food, 

 that will fat cattle feeding on the pasture in half the time that 

 they can be fatted in any other way. 



If you would produce great effect upon your soils, irrigate with 

 soluble mineral substances containing the constituents of plants, 

 three and a quarter grains of carbonic acid to every pound of 

 water is all a meadow requires of that ingredient. An acre of 

 grass exhales during four months about six millions of pounds 

 of water, two hundred and twenty grains of which liquid must 

 pass through each individual spear before three quarters, of a 

 grain of solid accumulation can take place within it. One twelfth 

 of a grain of ammonia to every quart of water suffices for the 



