GUANO. 



41 



and the soluble portions from being washed out by rains. 

 That it may ferment, it must be kept in a body that heat 

 may be generated and its natural moisture retained, while 

 beneath it a layer of some absorbent substance should be 

 placed to receive and retain its soluble parts, and as fast 

 as it is thrown from the stables it should be covered with 

 layers of muck to retain the ammonia. Horse manure, 

 especially, should not be exposed at all, it begins to heat 

 and lose nitrogen almost immediately as may be perceived 

 by the smell. Mix it with other manures and cover it 

 with absorbents as soon as possible. 



The manure of birds is richer than that of any other 

 animals ; as the solid and lic[uid excrements are mixed to- 

 gether, it is particularly rich in nitrogen and the phos- 

 phates. Three or four hundred weight of the manure of 

 fowls, turkeys, &c., is of equal value with from fourteen to 

 eighteen loads of animal manure. Guano is a manure of this 

 class. It is the manure of sea-birds which has accumulated in 

 tropical latitudes where it seldom or never rains. These 

 birds feed upon fish entirely, hence, the manure is re- 

 markably rich in nitrogen. Guano is this substance with 

 the water evaporated. The Peruvian and Bolivian are 

 the best varieties, and when these can be bought pure, 

 delivered at not over three dollars to three dollars and a 

 half per hundred weight, it is generally the cheapest 

 manure to be obtained as it is so easily applied — the labor 

 of applying other manures often approaching the price of 

 guano. It is well to apply about two hundred weight per 

 acre with one half the usual q[uantity of other manure 

 Guano should never in a fresh state come in contact with 

 seeds or the roots of plants as it is sure to destroy their 

 vitality. In setting out fruit trees and shrubs of all kinds 

 guano is the cheapest and most convenient manure to 

 apply. After the holes are dug, sprinkle the bottom 



