630 



THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 



views of Fritzsche, Payen and Bouswngault, Girardin 

 and Midard, that the Peruvian guano is in a state of fos- 

 •ilisation. The most remarkable guano hitherto analysed 

 is that described by Fritzsche,* whose investigations, as 

 far as we are aware, have hitherto remained unnoticed in 

 this country. We need, therefore, not apologise for giv- 

 ing a brief abstract of them in this place, more particu- 

 larly as they will prove how requisite it is that the 

 igriculturUr, before purchasing guano, should have a 

 •ample submitted to analysis by some competent chemist. 

 Fritzsche describes the guano submitted by him to ex- 

 amination as a dry coarse powder, in which some large 

 compact masses occurred of a yellowish-brown colour. 

 The compact pieces from which the powder had origi- 

 nated were distinctly composed of superposed strata, 

 seldom horizontal, but most frequently compressed and 

 undulate. The strata are of two kinds, one of a brownish- 

 yellow colour, and consisting principally of urate of 

 ammonia; the other of a blackish-gray or dark brown 

 colour, and formed principally of clay. Both layers 

 alternate with each other irregularly, their relative pro- 

 portions varying considerably. The argillaceous strata 

 are of a more compact nature than those of the urate of 

 ammonia. All the layers of clay are coated with a 

 whitish rind, which cannot be readily washed off with 

 •water. This coating consists of urate of ammonia, and 

 proves beyond a doubt that the guano in question has 

 acquired its present state through the agency of water. 

 Feathers, vertebrae, and fragments of other fish-bones 

 occur frequently, as well as remains of plants and some 

 seed. The guano had a strong urinous smell and a 

 faintly saline taste. 16 oz. of the pulverulent mass in 

 its moist state afforded on solution in caustic potash and 

 precipitation with muriatic acid, 7 oz. 2 drs. of a yellow- 

 ish-brown coloured crystalline hydrate of uric &c\d=z 37 

 per cent, anhydrous uric acid. 200 grs. of a compact 

 fragment, with very few seams of clay, gave, on being 

 •imilarly treated, 118 grs. or 59 per cent, of anhydrous 

 uric acid. The residue of these experiments consisted for 

 the greater part of clay, which readily subsided, probably 

 on account of the earthy phosphates contained in it. 

 From the occurrence of so fow organic remains, and from 

 the interposition of the argillaceous masses between the 

 layers of urate of ammonia, it is evident that the guano 

 in question cannot have been deposited by the birds in 

 the state in which it occurs at present; the coating of 

 urate of ammonia, which adheres so firmly to the seams of 

 clay, decidedly shows that water must have acted some 

 part at the formation of this deposit. Let us suppose a 

 clayey shore, which is flooded at high tide and left dry 

 at ebb, and behind it a lake to which the tide rises, and 

 flocks of sea-birds which visit the coast at the time of 

 low water; all the requisite conditions are given. Fish 

 and other marine animals, left by the tide, attract the 

 birds, which, in taking their food, at the same time 

 loosen the soil. Meantime a tropical sun dries rod breaks 

 up the soil ; the tide returns, and carries these loose 

 masses of clay, and the excrements deposited on tliem, 

 into the basin. Jn their progress a process of lixiviation 

 takes place ; the lighter organic remains, which have not 

 time to subside, are carried away by the effluent water, 

 while the heavier urate of ammonia and fragments of clay 

 subside. At some depth the bottom of the basin is not 

 disturbed by the flood, and here a solution of urate of 

 ammonia may be formed, which subsequently, on drying, 

 covers the layers of clay with a white coating, and serves 

 to unite the pulverulent urate of ammonia and loose clay. 

 The amount of soluble constituents in the guano (20 per 

 cent.) is not opposed to this view, for if the urine of 

 these birds is secreted, like that of serpents, in a concrete 

 form (containing, therefore, solid urate of ammonia), it 

 would be impossible for the salt water to deprive it of 

 much of its soluble constituents during its transfer, and 

 its rapid subsidence in the basin would prevent subse- 

 quent extraction. Now it is quite evident that the 

 African guano has been exposed to entirely different con- 

 ditions to that of the Peruvian just described ; for while 

 this contains the enormous amount of 59 per cent, uric 

 acid, scarcely traces of it occur in the former, it having 

 undergone total decomposition. Moreover, the amount 

 of soluble constituents in the African Guano (above GO 

 per cent.) entirely excludes all idea of its having been 

 subjected to any such lixiviating process as that supposed 

 by Dr. Fritzsche. We may, in conclusion, venture a 

 few words with respect to the comparative value of the 

 African guano as a manure. This depends, first, on the 

 amount of phosphates, and secondly, on that of the am- 

 monia, or substances capable of affording that ingredient. 

 But it is also evident that the state in which the nitro- 

 genous compounds are contained in the manure must be 

 of some importance, t. e. whether they exist in the form 

 of ammonia, as is the case with the guano submitted by 

 us to analysis, or in the state of urte acid.f It is pro- 

 bable that this African guano would prove extremely 

 stimulating to vegetation at first, but that its power 

 would soon be spent, unless previous to its employment 

 it were mixed with some substance capable of fixing the 

 ammonia, such as gypsum or charcoal, as recommended 

 by Boussingault and Payen ; while that containing uric 



* " Bulletin de l'Acad. de Petersburg," 1. No 6 

 f " The value of a manure depends, therefore, on the proportion 

 ofnitrogenlsed organic matter, and especially in relation to the 

 non-nitrogenous organic substances, and lastly, on the decompo- 

 sition of the quaternary substances being gradually effected and 

 so keeping pace with the progress of vegetation." And again, 

 "A manure entirely decomposable into its soluble and gaseous 

 products in the course of a single year will be capable of producing 

 as great an effect on the first crop as five times the quantity of an- 

 other manure which would require five years for its ultimate de- 

 composition, but then the latter will furnish useful products durin 

 a period five times longer." — Payen and Uoussingault in u Ann. 

 de Chim. et de P/iys.," X. iii. pp. 67 and 70. 



acid would, from the slow decomposition of this sub- 

 stance, prove for a long time a constant source of nitro- 

 gen proportionate to the growth of the plants. — Chemical 

 Gazelle. 



Employment of Boys as Farm Labourers. —Gangs of 

 boys from 10 to 15 years of age are constantly employed, 

 at wages from 4d. to Bd. each per day ; with every 10 or 

 more boys a man is placed, who is made responsible for 

 their properly executing the work, and also for their 

 application. Narrow hoes are used in preference to 

 wide ones. The Wheat, Beans, and Peas first receive at- 

 tention, and are all thoroughly hoed and weeded at a cost 

 of about 3s. to 4s. per acre ; the boys also dibble in the 

 Mangold-seed, and single the plants of both that and the 

 Turnips ready for the hoe, weed all the Lent corn, each 

 being furnished with a glove, and then assist in making 

 the hay, shaking it out with their hands without using 

 forks ; the smallest are then released for the month of 

 harvest, to follow gleaning, and the largest are all kept to 

 various work, such as hoeing and cleaning the Turnips, 

 and assisting in the harvest-work as required, but always 

 accompanied by the man. As the season advances, the 

 pulling and carting of the Turnips again occupies them, 

 and it is only during the depth of winter that the smallest 

 are not employed. Frequently two or three gangs of 

 from 10 to 15 in each gang are at work ; the light hoeing 

 is thus executed at a less cost than could be effected by 

 men, and the boys are at the same time taught early to 

 work and to become industrious. — Mr. Baker, on Essex 

 Farming, in the English Agricultural Society 's Journal. 



Notices to Correspondents. 



Rural Chbmistry. By Edward Solly. Esq., F.R.S., Experi- 

 mental Chemist to the Horticultural Society of London, Hon. 

 Mem. of the Royal Agricultural Society, and Lecturer on Che- 

 mistry at the Royal Institution, has been reprinted from the 

 Gardeners* Chronicle, with additions, and may be had of all 

 booksellers, price St. 6d. 



Books.— Ebon.— Low's " Elements of Practical Agriculture." The 

 subject of dibbling Corn shall be attended to. 



Ciunksf. Oat.— X. X. P. asks for information as to where he can 

 obtain the Chinese Skinless Oat. 



Chubv. — Anon. — Next week. 



Dairy Vessels.— Hacienda.— We have no experience on the de- 

 leterious effects of zinc on milk, but we believe the assertion to 

 which you allude to be true. The acids formed or existing in 

 milk are solvents of the metal. We do not know the medicinal 

 properties of sea- water. « 



Decrease iv Value from Inundations. — Maillow.— 'We can- 

 not answer your question in our ignorance of the amount of risk 

 to which you are subject. In certain districts bordering on the 

 Severn, at one stage of its course, an inundation involving the 

 total destruction of the crop once in ten years is calculated on ; 

 here the effects of liability to such risks obviously affects the 

 value of property simply to the extent of 1-tenth. 



Drains.— if. C. — Use soles to your draining-tiles ; about Ononis 

 arvensis, see Home Correspondence. 



Old Pastures.— W. C— Decidedly the best way of breaking 

 them up is by paring and burning. This could be done in 

 spring before Turnip seed-time. You will not otherwise be able 

 to get the land reduced sufficiently for the proper cultivation of 

 the crop. You are certainly judicious in taking a crop of 

 Turnips as the first after Gr. If you pare and burn you may 



grow Clover on the third year as you propose. The flesh of the 

 alpaca is spoken of as resembling venison. 



Potatoes. — Suburban Fanner. — If the stalks or haulm are green 

 you cannot cut them off without injuring the crop. 



Seed-Wheat.— J. E. — The Chidham Wheat is a prettier Wheat 

 in the berry than Mr. Morton's, but so far as our somewhat 

 limited experience of it goes, it is not so productive a variety. 

 ShirrefPs Hopetoun is a white Wheat and we should greatly pre- 

 fer it to the Red Lammas. Will you favour us with your name 

 and address ? 



Turnips.— Brussica.— They can only be propagated by seed. 



4 *» As usual, many communications have been received too late. 



iT£larfttts* 



SMITHFIELD, Monday, Sept. 9.— Per stone of 8 lbs. 



Best Downs & Half-breds 3s 10 to 4s 

 Best Lonfr- wools - - 3 6 3 10 

 Ewes and second quality 3 3 4 

 Lambs - - -3844 



Best Scots, Hereford's, &c- 3sl0to4s 

 Best Short Horns - 3 6 3 10 



Second quality Beasts -30 34 

 Calves - - - - 3 4 4 

 Pi«S - - - - 3 4 4 4 



Beasts, 3217: Sheep and Lambs, 33,070; Calves. 151; Pigs, 370. 

 The number of Beasts to-day is much smaller than last Monday, yet there 

 is a fair average supply; the trade is rather brisker, and in some instances 

 the rery best qualities are making Vi per 8 lbs advanced price; as a general 

 statement i f the marker, however, we cannot alter our Inst quotations ; the 

 second quality Beasts find more purchasers than of late, and make a ittle[better 

 price. There are a few less i>h»ep, but still a very large supply ; there are, 

 however, more buyers in the Market than of late, which causes the trade to 

 be a shade better ; still, there is not a quotable advance in the price. There 

 is a little more demand for Lambs. Pork-trade is rather better- 



Friday, Sept. 13. 



The supply of Beasts today is large, and trade very dull at fully 2d per 

 8 lbs lower than on Monday; 3s lOd is quire the" top price for the best qualities, 

 and many good Beasts are sold at 3s 8d per 8 lbs. The supply of Sheep con- 

 tinues about the same, but owing to the improved state oi the dead markets 

 since Monday, the best qualities are making a little more money, but not quite 

 2d per 8 lbs advance ; middling quality is still difficult to dispose of- Veal- 

 trade is a little more lively, but it is difficult to make over 4s per 8 lbs of any- 



*ng. Pork-trade continues pretty good. 



Beasts, 967; Sheep and Lambs, 8320; Calves, 323; Pigs, 33a 



41, WestSrcithfield. 



HOPS, Fridat, Sept. 13. 



About 500 pockets of the new crop of Hops have arrived at Market, for the 

 most part diseased and unripe, and consequently are not much in demand; 

 what few have been sold have realised about as follows ; — Farnhams, 10/ to 

 10/ 10s; Mid Kents, 9/ lot to 10/ 10s; Weald of Kents, 7' 7s to U/ ; Sussex, 71 

 to H/gs. We expect picking will be general on Monday next, and that the 

 Market will be well supplied during next week. The duty is estimated at 

 130,000/-, and no doubt prices will be high. 



tATTMsnns k Smith, Hop-Factors. 



HAY.— Per Load of 36 Trusses. 



S.MITHFIKLD, Sept. 12. 

 PrimeUpland Hay 95s to 103s . Clover - loOs to 120s I Straw - 26a to 30s 

 Inferior „ 85 00 | „ New 100 120 | 



100 John Coon*, Salesman. 



CUMBKRLAVD MiRKRT, Sept. 12. 



New Hay „ 



Superior Old Hay 105s to 110s I -uperior Cloverl20s to 12ff* I 

 Inferior - 00 100 I Interior „ 90 100 



New Hay • — — | New Clover — _ I 



Straw 28s to 84s 



Fine Old Hay 

 New Hay 



Joshua Baku, Hay Salesman. 



Whitechapel, Sept. 13 



09s to 100s | Old Clover 120s 1 



00 05 I New Clover 105 115 j Straw 20s to 36a 



erior 



05 I New Clover 105 116 I Straw 

 Inferior — — ' 



99 



Wools, particularly 



WOOL.-British, Friday, Sept. 13. 



Thkhk continues to be a cood deal of business done in our English Wool 

 Mirket. The prices of Fleece Wools r .in unaltered We think the 

 Market for Combing Wools a little flatter, but for low short! 

 skin, there has been a guod demand. 



P«lb. r per lb. 



Long-wooled Wethers Is Odto la Id Southdown Hogffitts Is Id to Is 3d 

 Do. Hoggitts 11 1 3J Kent Fleeces ill 2f) 



» ioutfcdown Fieecea 10 I 1 j Jamas Pbrkik, Wool Broker. 



COVENT GARDEN, Sk 



[Sept. U, 



pt. H — joe , L ^ 



and regetables have been verr w. * 

 than the demand \ trade IcV^J*™** 

 mens of P,„e Apples are in the mX. aid 

 are also rood and ahunri. n » «." . ex « * nd 







good aud abundant. Ther*. u «« ^ » -— 



of Melons since our last report Pea\Se. ^T?* * *• 5 

 continue good, and are sufficient t'?x)£ !?**?*«*!* 

 there are some good samples of CoV , rvST*"?; 0f 

 Gages are almost over for a season a?d nl"" Drop ' <*** 

 Of Damsons there is abundance At?L l £ M # ? re Ter * 

 the same price as last week, and Yen ^ little Z£«?* ? 

 place in that of either Apples or Pears Am a h *~ - 



noticed some good samples of Rib/ton vfiZ S hJLJSS 



looking specimens of WiUams's Bon Ch Jtien ii.k 

 and Louise Bonne (of Jersey;. Siber iai 

 in the market, as are also Walnut* »v 

 at from ifis. to Ms. ner bushel S?£?"' ?*«* 



per bushel. Filberts are well 



are 

 are 



Vegetables there is" abundance. "callVflowiVrffhSH^ <* 

 same price as last week , they have some Wft8 t ^XTSX 



lerably plentiful, and Cabbaro. »£n?7"***- 



price 



Broccoli is V- 



k a ! ™ T *™Y Plentiful, and Cabbages an. 

 abundant. French Beans are good, and still en, 

 for the demand. Onions are CffiT i^TcZTL - 

 rooms are not altered in price since last week 'caSnS 

 Turnips of good quality are abundant, as is ( rv *72Ll' 

 Endive, and other kinds of Salading are plentiful We 1*25 

 amongst Cut Floweis, Comb, et urn purpurea i Ok"** 

 psittacinus, Gardenia radicans, A W antbu.s uiffi'atw 

 Asters, Amaryllis. Camellias, Heaths, Pelargonium??*^ 

 Verbenas, Carnations, and Roses. ' ' w n ^ 



FRUITS. ^ 



Pine Apple, per lb., 3* to 6s 

 Grapes, Hothouse, p. lb., U to 3j (hi 



— Spanish, perlb., 1< to \t6d 



— Portugal, per lb., U Cd to 2s 

 Melons, each, Is to 3* 



Peaches, per dozen, 2s to 4s 

 Nectarines, per doz., 3* to 4# 

 Apricots, per doz , 1* to 3s 

 Plums, per half-sieve, 9s 6d to 5s 



— Orleans, per hf.-sv., U to3s 



— Coe's Gold. Drop, p. pun., 6</ to 1 j 

 Damsons, per half-sieve, 1j 6d to 2$Qd 

 Fitfs, per doz., 2s to As 



Apples, Dess., per bush-, 2s Gd to 4sGd 

 — Kitchen, \s to 3s 



Pears, Dess-, per hf.-sv., Is6d to 2s 6d 



2s 6d 



CnrrMt*, per Mtn.uu^hM 

 J.lbert.,prrl^lbs. > ;^ u l l * ,lii 

 "* nuts, per buihtl, 1* u>| 

 Oranges, per doten, U to % 



— perlw, 7s U>J4# 



— bitter, perl. 

 Lemons, per dn*ea v Js Ul# 



— per 100, Cj u 

 Almonds, per peck, ^ 



*>w« <>"nds,p«lk,*n 



Nuts, HarvHona, $M 



— Brazil, ie« 



— Cob, iU 



VEGETABLES. 



Cabbages, per dozen, Gd to Is 3d (iarlic, perlb.,<dtoW 



Cauliflowers, per doz., 2s to 5* 



Broccoli, per bundle, 6d to Is 



Sorrel, per hf.-sie ve, 6d to 9d 



Artichokes, per doz., Is to 3s 



French Beans, p. hf.-sv., Is to 2s 



Potatoes, per ton, 60s to 80s 



— SVli 2s 6d to 5s 



— bushel, l«6fi to 3s 

 Kidney, per bsh., 8s 6d to 6s 



Turnipi, per dor. bch., Is 6d to U 

 Peas, per bushel sieve, 2s 6d to 4s 

 Red Beet, per doz., 9d to Is Gd 

 Carrots, per doz. bchs., 2s to 6s 

 Basil, per bunch, 2d to 3d 

 Horse Kadish, per bundle, 2s to 7s 

 Savory, per bunch, 2d to 3d 

 Cucumbers, Frame, each, 2d to 9d 



— Ridge, doz., 9d to 2s Gd 



Vegetable Marrow, per doz., 4d to Is 

 Spinach, per sieve, ls6d to 2s 

 Leeks, per bun., 2d to 3d 



Onions, per bunch, Uxoid 

 — large, per bttskel, ^ 



ciTu S P an, » h * P" d «-» * * U 

 Shallots, per lb. f 4d toOd 



Tomatoes, per half-f v., .<• to is 



Capsicums, Ripe, per lw f u tnl# 



— < n, per Uto* 



Kadiahes, per doz., 6d to U U 



Lettuce, per score, Cd u. \t U 

 Celery, White, per bumh, Mte ., * 



— Red, per bunch, is to \$u 

 Endive, per score, 1# to is U 

 Mush: is, per pottle, \iUxoUU 

 Small Naiads, per punnet, U to U 

 Watercress, p. 12 im. hun. 34 t* Irf 

 Parsley, per doz. bunches, Is toil 

 Tarragon, Green, per bunch, tUutsd 

 Green Mint, per bunch, id toU 



(Marjoram, per bunch, 2t \ M 

 Chervil, per punnet, 04 u>M 

 Chilis, per 100, Is 6d to U 



MARK-LANE, Movdat, Sept. g. 



Thb supply of English Wheat this morning from the 

 counties was small, and taken off slowly at the prices of this day 

 se'nnight: Foreign met a moderate retail demand on the tenmot 

 last Monday, being rather over those of the forced sales made at 

 the close of Friday's market.— English Barley must be written Is. 

 lower: Foreign meets a slow sale, and barely maintainslnte rates. 

 —Beans fully support our quotations.— White Peat are unaltere 

 Grey and Maple 1*. cheaper. -The Oat trade is firm, and .art 

 week's prices readily obtained.— The top price of Flour is 

 to 44^. 



BRITISH, PER IMPERIAL QUARTKR. 



Wheat, Essex, Kent, and Suffolk . . White 



Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire . 



Barley, Malting and distilling 27* to 36s Chevalier 



40 



6. 



5<» 



31 

 Oats, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire . . Rolands 19 



Northumberland and Scotch . . reed 19 



Irish . . . . • Feed 17 



Malt, pale, ship * £> 



Hertford and Essex 



Rye WI • * 



Beans, Mazagan, old and new 29 to 32 Tick 



Pigeon, Heligoland . S3 to 38 Winds. — 



Peas, White . • . . 3- ? to 36' Maple 80 



:,: 



21 



21 



lUd . 



Wri W 



* nd. 

 Feed 



F-itato 

 Potato 



II 



if 



68 



m 



3-> 

 34 



■ 



Grey C » 



Flour. 

 English s 5734 Ska. — Brls. 



Irish • — » — S9 



Foreign . — .. 



ARRIVALS IN THB RIVER LAST WEEK. 



Wht. Barl. Ma! Oat* 



99 



99 



5429 

 5730 



93 

 6216 



4237 



m 



31 

 7235 



- 2S* 





Tm 



Friday, Sept. 13. 

 The little English Wheat fresh up since Mond « ** n «J» 



off at the prices of that day; mfbr^ t the^m. |: 



imam our u»c potations, Maple an< I £«*«"«• 

 turn cheaper.— The quantity of Oats offering « sni PJrJJ «£ 



^r ** ^pv w w - » ^*- j^ » — » — ^ w — — - i — — ^ j 



ness doing, but its value is fully 

 White Peas, maintain our 



sraaiCdealers refrain "'from purchasing, and prices may 

 sidered unaltered. 



ARRIVALS THIS WKEK 



Wheat | Barley 

 6890 320 



English 



Irish 



Foreign 



Oati 



m 



*< 



1430 



6570 



Auk. 



9 per Quarter 



9 . 

 18 . 



23 . . • 

 30 . • • 

 6 . • • 



IMPERIAL AVERAGES 



Wheat. | Barley. 

 61* Qd Ms od 



Sept. 



6 weeks* Aggreg. Aver. 



Duties on Foreign Grain 



Canary - - P«r qr 



Carraway - J>«r cwt 



Clover, Ked, English 



_ — Foreign 



_ White, Knfflish - 



_ — Foreign - 



Coriander • - * • 

 Hempseed - per last 



Linseed - - P* r * r 



_ Baltic - - • 

 — Cakes,En«. per 1000 



48 10 



49 1 

 60 4 

 60 11 

 48 6 



34 6 

 81 6 



33 3 



34 11 



35 9 



49 9 



34 6 



20 1 



4 



4390 



Rye. ! Bam- 



SEEDS, Sept. 9- 



62a to 66, Lin,eedCak«,Foreign ^ 

 a. u Mn.tard. White - P- 0UJ 



44 



13 

 86 



10/ 



18 

 40 



»> 



0»« 



M 



it 



. u i 



Mustard, 



__ Superfine 



_ Brown m 



Rapweed, English, per latt » m 



Rape Cakes - P« r «^ _ 

 Sainfoin - - \ . j 

 Tares, Eng. winter ?■ bu*h- _ „ 

 — Foreign - • * - 



- Trefoil - : J*LfTioatlM>. 

 11/ Turnip (too *"£*£„»• U* 



WHOLESALE PRICES OF MANURES. 



P erto.lH,0,0d ^^l^t^^l 



Phosph of Llinr(&cJ» «y M | 

 Rape Cake • ««rlllt»! 



Alum • • «"" """ m* rt 



Ammonia, Carbonate cwt. 56 v 



— Sulphate cwt. 16s to 17 

 _ Wuriate - cwt. W0 



— Sal Ammoniac cwt. 44 

 _ Phosphate lb. 1 ° 



* ton 4/ to 4/10 



or. lfa to 17 



' ton 10/ 10 



ton MOO 



ton 6/ 15 



ton U/0 



ton 27* to 35 

 ' ton 20 



Bones 

 Bonedust 

 Guano, Peruvian 

 Ichaboe 



— African 



— Potter's 

 G y psum • 



Muriate of Lii&e 



r. 





Rape «*■».' toa M# 



Sail (CoimnoB) ™ u 



Soda (Dry Carbonate) 



Sul P h.ofjWa^'P^ CWt - c ^T««; 

 "_. Potash • « ft 



Sulp^urlcAddisp.^.l^ •« 

 Superph. of Lime 





